Seattle’s Streets Were Still Mostly Wood—Until the Brick Came

One of the most important problems to be solved in connection with public works is the proper location and permanent improvement of public streets. In this city, located as it is upon steep hills and over ground which is generally of uneven surface, this question becomes one of considerable magnitude. Seattle has, of course, its systems and its main thoroughfares. Among these can be mentioned Yesler avenue, Front and Commercial streets, Broadway, Depot street, Pike street, Rollin street, Kilbourne avenue, Temperance street, etc.

For our commercial thoroughfares a good brick pavement laid on a well-prepared subsoil and a suitable foundation would seem to fill the requirements of a substantial and durable pavement. One advantage of brick pavement is the rapidity and ease with which it can be laid, requiring but little skill and that easily acquired by any laborer of ordinary intelligence.

As indicated by the tests of brick submitted by several home manufacturers, an article of unexcelled quality can be produced here, and the supply of clay from which this brick is manufactured being almost unlimited, they can be obtained in any desired quantity and at very low cost.

Any observer will admit that during the past year many improved methods have been used in connection with street improvements, and it is to be hoped that progress will continue to be made in this direction until a degree of perfection has been attained.

Although little has been done by residents towards securing permanent pavements, an effort is now being made to secure such pavements on several of our prominent thoroughfares.

Seattle has about 750 miles of platted streets, of which about 106 miles are improved. Of these 106 miles of improved streets, about 26 1/2 miles are totally or partially covered with fir planking. With the exception of a sample block on Commercial street, no permanent pavement has yet been laid. A contract was let a few days since for the construction of a brick pavement with granite curbing on Union street between Front and Second streets.

The street improvements made during the past year, including those now under construction, consist of about seven and three-fourths miles of grading and sidewalking, involving a total cost of about $100,000. Petitions for several new improvements are now awaiting the action of the board of public works, and generally there seems to be a desire of the residents to improve and beautify the streets throughout the city.