The Waterfront Tug-of-War: Squatters vs. The Empire of A.A. Denny
As Seattle's waterfront boomed, property titan A.A. Denny moved to clear 'squatters' from valuable harbor land, sparking a public anxiety over property titles that echoes through the city's growth.
The story, cleaned up
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A protracted dispute over the possession of a strip of land along the waterfront, characterized by suits of ejectment by Mr. A.A. Denny against a number of squatters, has given rise to a great deal of comment and some uneasiness by persons who have bought property of Mr. Denny. To clarify, a reporter met with Mr. P.E. Blaine, attorney for Mr. Denny, to address the confusion caused by a headline in Justice Elvers' court which prematurely claimed 'Squatters Win a Victory.' Mr. Blaine clarified that the justice's court had no jurisdiction to try questions of title or boundary; the case was merely certified to the district court. Mr. Denny’s legal team presented field notes, plats, and patents, arguing that the natural landmarks—high water marks and bearing trees—must control the legal definitions of the land. They insist that Mr. Denny’s titles remain sound, intending to maintain actions against the squatters to protect the integrity of the property he has already sold to new owners.
“Neither Mr. Denny nor our firm would care much for this matter were it not for the fact that Mr. Denny has sold a great many lots on the water front, and the persons to whom he has sold such property are anxious to know if the title to their lots was defective.”
The late 19th-century struggle between land-wealthy pioneers and squatters on Seattle's tideflats mirrors the modern-day tension surrounding urban displacement and the commodification of Seattle's waterfront. Just as historical titles were scrutinized to ensure stability for new buyers, today's residents and developers grapple with the enduring legacy of early land claims in the face of rapid density and housing affordability crises.
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