The Building That Fell Down
Owners and contractors are locked in a court battle over the construction of a brick building at Third and Washington that collapsed during its assembly.
A big suit for damages against the contractors who built the three-story brick block at the northwest corner of South Third and Washington street, over a disagreement as to the terms of the contract, is on trial in Judge Osborn's court. This is the building which in the summer of 1890 fell down when almost completed and caused great excitement on the streets. The owners allege that the building was not completed on time, that it fell due to defective materials and foundation work, and that the basement was rendered unusable by poor construction. The contractors contend that the owners provided the foundation and drove the piles so negligently that the building collapsed. They also dispute the payments made thus far.
“The building was to be completed by July 1, 1890. It was finally completed several months later, having been delayed a great deal by its having fallen down.”
Building collapses were a terrifyingly common feature of 1890s rapid-growth Seattle. This story captures the frantic, often corner-cutting pace of the post-fire rebuilding era.
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