The West Seattle Gold Rush: How a Quarter-Mile of Waterfront Changed the City's Map
While miners chased gold in Okanogan and politicians debated Indian reservations, a new addition called 'West Seattle' was platted with water front lots for as little as $75, promising to beat all other additions.
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.
THE MARCH OF PROGRESS
WEST SEATTLE! THE SANDER'S ADDITION. IT BEATS THEM ALL.
Located directly opposite the business portion of Seattle, and where Commercial street will penetrate. Adjoining, the White Manning, Southern Pacific, Faegres, and South Haven additions. A quarter of a mile of the water front has been platted into lots, and will be sold to the first comers. This is a grand opportunity to secure Water Front Property at low prices and easy terms. The rear portion of this addition is admirably adapted for residence property, commanding a fine view of the city and harbor, Mt Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic ranges of mountains.
SCALE OF PRICES: $75. $100. $150. $200. $400. Terms—One-half cash, one-fourth in six months, and one-fourth in a year.
We might mention a few of the many improvements that will be made in the vicinity of this property: THE HALL SHIPYARD! A GIGANTIC SMELTER PLANT, Of which some of our wealthy citizens and Chicago and San Francisco capitalists are the promoters, will be established on the property adjoining the west line of this addition, in close proximity.
This advertisement captures the speculative frenzy that defined Seattle's early growth, particularly the push to develop West Seattle across the Duwamish River. The promise of 'water front property' at low prices mirrors modern debates over waterfront development, industrial zoning, and the displacement of working-class neighborhoods for luxury real estate. The mention of a 'gigantic smelter plant' alongside residential lots highlights the historical reality that early Seattle's growth was built on heavy industry and pollution, not just commerce.
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