The Price of Building a City: 1877 Tax Defaults
As Seattle began to rapidly expand, a long list of property owners faced the loss of their land for unpaid taxes—revealing the precarious nature of early urban ownership.
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.
By virtue of a warrant to me, according to law, on the 2d day of February, 1877, I will sell to the highest bidder for cash, at 10 A. M. on Tuesday, March 27th, at the office of the Assessor, the following described property for delinquent taxes due the City of Seattle for the year 1876, unless the same shall be paid before that date. W. H. Shoudy, Assessor and Collector. The list includes properties across numerous early plats, including Maynard's, Terry's, Denny's, Bell's, and Eastern Addition. Among those listed with delinquent taxes are prominent plots held by individuals and firms, ranging from small lots to large acreage, reflecting the fiscal squeeze facing many in the growing Territory.
“I will sell to the highest bidder for cash... the following described property for delinquent taxes due the City of Seattle.”
The 1877 tax delinquency list serves as a stark reminder that Seattle’s development was built on a volatile foundation of land speculation. Just as today’s headlines focus on the high cost of property taxes and urban affordability, these early settlers faced the same existential threat: if you couldn't pay the assessment on your dirt, the city would seize it for the highest bidder.
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