The Railway King Comes to Town
James J. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway, arrives in Seattle to scout terminal sites and plot the future of the city's waterfront.
The story, cleaned up
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President James J. Hill of the Great Northern railway arrived in Seattle last evening with a suite of executives and bankers. During a lengthy conversation, Hill made clear his intentions for the city: 'The main thing I came over here for is to see about the terminal question. We want to get into shape to do business, and we can't do it without terminal facilities.' Hill rejected the idea of locating his shops on hillsides or tideflats, demanding a solid foundation, noting that he had been offered a site at Ballard but had not yet decided. He emphasized his commitment to the region, stating, 'My policy is this: I believe that the country should be developed all along the line, and I propose to make such rates that people can live along my road.' He plans to bring eastern leaders here in June to showcase the Pacific Northwest’s agricultural, mineral, and lumber resources.
“I propose to make such rates that people can live along my road. It's the only true policy; anything else is only temporary.”
James J. Hill’s vision for Seattle as a massive rail hub defined the city’s economic foundation for a century. Today, the debate over how to manage terminal infrastructure and waterfront land continues to be a central struggle in Seattle's civic planning.
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