West Coast Improvement Company
Named in 16 stories. Back to all names
- May 13, 1888The Real Estate and Money Brokers of the Pacific Coast: 'Collect Instead of Pay Rents'A bold advertisement in the Seattle Daily Post-Intelligencer invites locals to become landlords rather than tenants, promising that Seattle will double in population within twelve months.Seattle, WA
- Jun 22, 1888The Real Estate Boom at Salmon BayA speculative land development promises a suburban future in Seattle’s north side, betting on railroad connectivity.Seattle, WA
- Jun 23, 18881888 Ad Promises Gilman Park Home Lots and Quick ProfitsDevelopers promised a 'choice residence' utopia in North Seattle, touting hourly trains and rapid wealth, just as the city's housing boom began in earnest.Ballard, Seattle, WA
- Aug 1, 1888The Real Estate Boom of Salmon BayPromotional copy for a 1888 Seattle subdivision promise rapid riches, mirroring the city's perpetual hunger for land development.Salmon Bay, Seattle, WA
- Jan 28, 1893Ballard Asks: Should the City Own Its Own Water?On the eve of a $75,000 bond vote, Ballard weighs a public water works against the private company that holds the taps — and the mills that built their own supply rather than wait.Ballard, Seattle, WA
- Feb 8, 1893Ballard’s Big Bid for the Great NorthernA town of 200 citizens gathers to discuss a high-stakes proposal to bring the railway's car shops to their shores.Seattle, WA
- Feb 16, 1895Ballard Asked Seattle for a Drink—and Hinted at AnnexationIn 1895 Ballard was running on wells and springs. Seattle had Lake Washington to spare, and officials began talking rates, mains, and a merged city.Seattle, WA
- Mar 17, 1895Ballard's Water Bonds Go to CourtA taxpayer sued to stop Ballard from paying $8,500 for a private waterworks plant he called worthless—money voters had approved to build the city's own artesian wells.Seattle, WA
- Mar 30, 1895The Taxpayer Who Sued to Stop Ballard’s Water DealA $1,800 purchase of pipe and tools from a private water company sparked a court fight over public money and municipal ownership in Ballard.Seattle, WA
- Apr 5, 1895Ballard's Water Fight Goes to CourtWhen a lawsuit tried to block the young city from buying the West Coast Improvement Company's springs and pipes, Ballard's answer warned that an injunction would leave the water system in peril.Seattle, WA
- Apr 7, 1895Ballard’s Fight to Own Its WaterCity council backers file affidavits defending the purchase of the West Coast Improvement Company plant as John Shields tries to block the deal.Seattle, WA
- Apr 9, 1895Ballard Wins a Round in Its Water War—But the Fight Isn't OverA judge refused to permanently stop Ballard's council from buying the West Coast Improvement Company's waterworks, finding the city could use the pipe in its new plant. Inspector Shields immediately appealed.Superior Court of Washington for King County, Seattle, WA
- Apr 11, 1895A Dry Petition, a Waterworks Deal and a Stolen WheelbarrowFour hundred Ballard residents want the saloons shut from Saturday midnight to Monday morning. A councilman says the whole thing is spite over the city's purchase of the water plant — and the council buys the water plant anyway.Ballard, WA
- Apr 27, 1895Ballard's $24,000 Debt Fight Turns on Water and Electric PlantsA three-fifths vote could fund the young city's warrants, but factions oppose buying the water system and electric plant—and some simply distrust the council.Seattle, WA
- May 1, 1895The Fight for Salmon Bay's Tide FlatsState land commissioners hear the first of eleven contests over who gets to buy Salmon Bay harbor land, as shore owners, railroads and mill companies crowd the Ballard council rooms.Salmon Bay, Ballard, Seattle, WA
- May 3, 1895Who Owns the Shore? The Fight for Salmon Bay's Tide FlatsState land commissioners hear five contests over tide lands at Ballard, where railroads, mill companies and upland owners all claim the right to buy the waterfront.Salmon Bay at Ballard, Seattle, WA