The Railroad Reach: Seattle Pushes Its Trestle and Track Toward the Coal Mines
Crews close the last gap in the Seattle & Walla Walla trestle, let another three-quarters of a mile to Yesler, and wait for rails to lay two more miles of track.
Yesterday Surber closed up the gap between the sections of the S. & W. R. trestle on his contract. There is now a complete line of piling to the bay. This evening the pile-driver will be moved down to this end to drive 200 feet additional of piling out to deep water. Mr. Surber, having obtained a supply of piles of the proper length, will also put on the stringers and planking ready to receive the iron about to arrive by the bark Harvest Home.
Mr. Colman informs us that an additional contract of three-fourths of a mile on the Seattle and Walla Walla road has been let to Mr. Yesler. This includes the distance between the Benton and Talbot mines, and is designed to give the benefit of the road to the latter mine, which will be of reciprocal advantage to both companies.
Mr. Colman goes down on the Dakota to attend to shipping the balance of the railroad iron. He will be back on the return trip of that steamer. The Harvest Home is bringing up the rails for two miles of track. On her arrival track-laying will begin, and as soon as practicable a locomotive will be put on to extend the work.
“On her arrival track-laying will begin, and as soon as practicable a locomotive will be put on to extend the work.”
Seattle's 1870s growth was inseparable from railroad and coal ventures, just as today's transit megaprojects are sold as engines of regional prosperity. The item shows how private contracts, public ambition, and extractive industry blurred together in the booster-era city.
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