The Ghost of a Civic Dream: Seattle’s Lost City Hall

“I think that this biggest city on the Sound is reaching a point where it ought to have a hall that would be a credit and an honor to the city,” said a prominent and heavy property owner. “The present arrangement of the city offices is a discredit to Seattle. We have a council room big enough at present, but the other offices are scattered all over town. When a fellow has business to transact with the city, he has to run all over the city.” The resident points out that to navigate city business, one must visit the county courthouse, the sheriff’s office, the school clerk’s office, the city clerk, and the city attorney’s office in disparate locations. “Now, we ought to have a handsome, commodious city hall to contain a council chamber and offices for the mayor, clerk, attorney, treasurer, chief of police, surveyor, and street commissioner.” The urgency is fueled by the 'Osborne Fund,' a bequest left by a well-known citizen, James Osborne, years prior. His will mandated that the city could use his legacy—valued at roughly $20,000—to build a city hall, provided the city contributed an equal amount. If the city failed to act, the fund would continue to grow until it became too large for the city to realistically match. “Now, if we don't act pretty soon, the Osborne fund will grow to such dimensions that the city won't want to put up an equal amount to secure it,” the property owner warned. “Why, it will not be long before it amounts to a quarter of a million.”