Yesler's Big Block Forces Business Shuffle
As Henry Yesler prepares to build a new four-story brick landmark, local merchants scramble for temporary quarters.
Since it has been definitely settled that Mr. Yesler is preparing to commence work on his new four-story brick block between the Yesler-Leary building and the Post building, the various firms doing business in the wooden buildings now occupying the ground have been looking about for some place to continue during the building of the block. For the purpose of ascertaining what arrangements had been made, a Post-Intelligencer reporter called on the different business men yesterday. Mr. Z. C. Miles of the firm of Waddell & Miles said: 'We have been looking about for a stand for some time, but have found nothing so far to suit us, and have about decided to remain in our present store, which will be moved out over the water in the rear of P. Stone's building.' Johnny Wenzler, of the firm of Uncle Jimmy & Co., said: 'You know, I have a little building of my own on Front street, and I think we will move into that.' Mr. Yesler said: 'I intend to raise up my hall, on Front street, and put a nice store under it. The front will be used by Mr. Lowman and the rear by Mr. Meister as a beer hall, with a front on Cherry street.'
“We have about decided to remain in our present store, which will be moved out over the water in the rear of P. Stone's building.”
This captures the perennial cycle of Seattle growth, where the replacement of wooden storefronts with brick ones—and eventually skyscrapers—displaced the original settlers and merchants. The 'move out over the water' reminds us that the city's waterfront was once a shifting, porous boundary before the massive regrades and seawall projects of the early 20th century.
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