The Great Seattle Land Rush of 1887

A large crowd of excursionists came in from the East on Sunday. The forward deck was fairly packed with people who had not lost the opportunity to visit the city and the surrounding scenery, as the weather was clear and warm. In reply to questions, the travelers said: 'We have on board 300 people who have come from St. Paul to Victoria over the Canadian Pacific Railway. A very low rate of $15 was made for the round trip, and 300 tickets were sold. Most of those who came are looking for land and home sites.' Picking out an intelligent-looking man in the crowd, the reporter entered into conversation with him. He stated that he was a mechanic and had had his eye on Seattle for some time, but that he never felt like paying the high rates demanded to locate here with his family, but that when the Canadian Pacific Company made the low rate he invested $60 in four tickets and came out to Seattle to buy a little home and settle down. He expressed himself as well pleased with the outlook and said that his party would locate at some point near the city.