The Price of a Two-House Dream in 1878 Seattle
A real estate advertisement offers a glimpse into early residential development, featuring a pair of dwellings for $1,200.
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.
A good investment for sale at a bargain. Two lots back of the courthouse with good soil, bearing orchard and fruit trees for building. There are two dwelling houses upon them, one tenement currently rented, and residence—one-story and half, balloon frame and containing six rooms below and two up stairs, besides pantry, cellar, etc. Price $1,200. Apply to Eastwick, Morris & Co., Room No. 4, Burnett Building.
“A good investment for sale at a bargain.”
In 1878, $1,200 could secure an entire property with two houses and an orchard within walking distance of downtown. Today, that same parcel of land near the site of the former King County Courthouse would be worth millions, highlighting the stark transformation of Seattle from a frontier town to a high-density, high-cost urban center.
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