July 12 – August 26, 1876
The Free Real Estate Gamble of 1876
1876 Seattle reports describe free-land and buy-one-get-one homebuilding incentives.
3 reports in The Daily Intelligencer, July 12 – August 26, 1876.
The story
Reports dated July 12 and August 25–26, 1876, described a Seattle real estate promotion by a developer meant to encourage homebuilding. One report said the developer, facing a housing crunch, offered free land to anyone willing to build and framed it as a move to spur growth in North Seattle; later reports described a 'buy one, get one' incentive and a promise of 'a lot for nothing' to settlers willing to build homes in early Seattle. The reports conflict on the promotion's terms and do not name the developer.
Told from the 3 reports below. The reports are the record.
The archive grouped these reports automatically, by date, place and subject.
The reports 3
- The Daily IntelligencerThe Free Real Estate Gamble of 1876
Facing a housing crunch, a prominent developer offers free land to anyone willing to build—a desperate move to spur growth in North Seattle.
- The Daily IntelligencerThe 1876 Land Hustle
A classic real estate promotion from the era offers a 'buy one, get one' incentive to settlers willing to build homes in early Seattle.
- The Daily IntelligencerThe Original Seattle Real Estate Hustle
In 1876, a pioneer developer lured buyers with the promise of 'a lot for nothing,' provided they were willing to build their own future on his terms.
From the pages
The Daily Intelligencer · Jul 12, 1876
The Daily Intelligencer · Aug 25, 1876
The Daily Intelligencer · Aug 26, 1876
Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Public domain.