The Great Land Rush: Seattle’s West Side and Coney Island of the Northwest
As real estate brokers hawk cleared lots for $200 and advertise excursion trips to 'Coney Island' pleasure groves, Seattle is rapidly transforming from a logging town into a booming speculative market.
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.
OCCIDENT HEIGHTS. CHEAPEST! CHOICEST! AND BEST IN SEATTLE.
Prettiest, Cosiest, Loveliest MUMS THE CHIEF. Perfectly Level. All Cleared On Elliot Ave. Three Miles' Walk From Ferry Main.
Occident Heights is the cheapest and choicest in West Seattle. It is an airy all-sold, and prices on the remainder will be raised in a few days. We give the best titles in Seattle. Those to the above addition are guaranteed by the Seattle Title Insurance and Trust Company as a first-class policy to each purchaser when desired.
PRICE, $200 UP. TERMS EASY.
THE GARDEN SPOT Of Puget Sound. THE CONEY ISLAND Of the Great Northwest. The Home of the Merchants, Manufacturers, Professional, and Business Men of Seattle. THE DAY PLEASURE RESORT Of the Entire Sound.
Cicero Heights. Adjoining Overlooking the entire lake and surrounding country. CALINS' GROVE, The most beautiful spot on the lake, which is being thoroughly cleared. Walks are being laid out; a shaded path the entire length of the island; dancing pavilions, boat houses, rustic seats, tables, swings, and numerous other amusements are now being constructed for the benefit of the pleasure-seeking public.
We have advised everybody to look over the grounds at East Seattle, And hear from every side the most flattering and gratifying verdicts from people who have gone there. All are desirous of purchasing a home, and have our assurance that when this property is put on the market, every body will have a fair and equal opportunity to buy at the most reasonable and Liberal Terms.
We propose to devote our entire time and efforts to the improvement of this property, and shall spare no money to make it all we claim. We shall make EXCURSION TRIPS COMMENCING SUNDAY, MARCH 17, Leaving the Cable Company's wharves at 9 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m., for Cicero Heights and Calkins' Grove Round Trip Only 10 Cents.
For further particulars of this beautiful estate property, apply to STERN, MILLER & CO., Seattle & James Streets, SEATTLE.
CENTRAL ADDITION TO WEST SEATTLE AT $200 EACH. Terms: One half cash, balance three, six, nine months. These lots are level and cleared. Printed matter descriptive of Seattle and Washington Territory free. SEND STAMP FOR PUGET SOUND PRIMER. LLEWELLYN, DODGE CO., Real Estate and Mining Brokers and Auctioneers, ROOMS 6, 7 AND 8, BOSTON BLOCK. SEATTLE.
This 1889 advertisement captures the speculative fever that defined Seattle's early growth, where land was sold for mere hundreds of dollars with promises of 'easy terms' and rapid appreciation. The marketing of 'Occident Heights' and 'Coney Island' mirrors modern developments that package suburban sprawl and leisure amenities to attract buyers, highlighting how real estate speculation has long been a primary driver of the city's expansion and housing affordability challenges.
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