The Wild West of Seattle Real Estate
An 1888 advertisement promises 'fine acreage' and quick riches in a rapidly expanding Seattle, highlighting the speculative fervor that defined the city's early growth.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
IMPORTANT TO INVESTORS. 90 acres at the head of the bay. This is one of the finest pieces of acreage property that is offered for sale in the city. One lot corner of Commercial and Main. This is one of the best corners that is offered for sale in the city at the present time. It is a fine business location. 120x120 feet square, corner of Mill and Second. This is a magnificent corner. One-half block on Fourth street. One lot on Third street; fine location. Two valuable farms, well improved; only six and eight miles from the city. Apply to P. H. PITTMIER, 524 Front Street, Seattle, W.T.
“This is one of the finest pieces of acreage property that is offered for sale in the city.”
This advertisement showcases the frenzied land speculation that built early Seattle, where corners like Main and Commercial were sold as prime business real estate. Today, these exact locations in Pioneer Square are among the most historic and highly contested urban spaces in the city, reflecting the same enduring, high-stakes competition for land ownership.
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