The Centennial That Saved Seattle: How 8,000 Souls Turned a Territorial Mist into a City

The celebration in this city of the great anniversary of the century, notwithstanding the many lets, hindrances and disappointments which preceded it, met the most sanguine hopes of its promoters, and the committee of gentlemen having the matter in charge, fully vindicated their character for zeal and discretion, in spite of all criticism and croaking.

The attendance exceeded by far any assemblage ever before held in Washington Territory; it is estimated by none at less than 5,000, and by some good judges is placed as high as 8,000. Every city, town and settlement upon the Sound was represented; some Port Gamble and Port Madison, for instance, by a majority of their inhabitants. On the evening of the 3d and morning of the 4th, no less than ten steamers came to our wharves laden with passengers.

The weather was auspicious for the occasion, being one of those balmy summer days peculiar to our exquisite climate. The shipping in the harbor, the business houses and residences, even the streets and sidewalks were gaily decked with flags, evergreens and flowers, presenting in every direction a gala scene of the most pleasing character.

The glorious morning was ushered in by an artillery salute, and at an early hour the thoroughfares were thronged with jolly groups of men, women and children with beaming faces, all intent upon making the most of the occasion. The first order upon the programme was the regatta... At 2 o'clock, prompt, the procession was formed upon Mill street, according to the announced order, and marched by devious ways to the University grounds.

In the absence of Hon. A.A. Denny, the President of the Day, Hon. W.L. Yesler presided. After music by the Band, a prayer was offered by Rev. Daniel Bagley. The Declaration of Independence was read by Prof. Young. Prof. Ingraham read an original ode... Gov. Perry had been selected to deliver the oration, and it was a matter of great disappointment to the committee that he failed to appear... two of our young lawyers supplied the place almost impromptu.

Cornelius H. Hanford, Esq., who was among the early pioneers of Seattle, and had grown up with the place from early childhood, delivered a short speech, without notes, in which he reviewed, in a brief but fitting manner, the history of the country at large, and more particularly all adventures, dangers, and struggles of the early settlers of this special locality.

W. H. White, Esq., with only forty-eight hours notice... had hastily prepared some notes of a speech... He thrilled his audience with the fervor of his patriotism and the power of his eloquence.

After the orations, the procession was marched back to the public square and disbanded. In the evening, after witnessing the magnificent fireworks, which were upon scows in the bay, the immense pavilions erected upon Occidental Square and Yesler’s Hall were both filled to their utmost capacity with dancers, who kept up the festival until the small hours of the coming day.