An Optimist's View of 1882 Seattle
A visitor from Oregon writes home with a bold prediction: in twenty years, Seattle will be the metropolis of the North.
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.
Yesterday I received a letter, the first I had since I left Roseburg last December, and I said: 'Possibly your readers would like to hear something about Seattle, the largest city in Washington Territory.' Seattle is as many miles north of Canyonville as there are days in the year. Its climate is not unlike that of your region: no more rain, not as much snow as you had the past winter. I am delighted with the place and the surrounding scenery. The city is not a model of perfection, but no fair-minded person could find fault with its condition after learning all the circumstances of its existence and growth. I think we have the average number of energetic public men. There are some who think the race for greatness between this place and Tacoma is about an even thing. I have no desire to exult or disparage, but I feel confident Seattle will be the metropolis of this Territory, if not of the northern coast, in less than twenty years. Portlanders will laugh at this remark, but the perils of the bar at the mouth of the Columbia will ever be a drawback to their beautiful little city. Here the largest steamships and sailing vessels in the world can come and go at any stage of the tide or in any condition of the weather. It is situated on the northeast flank of Elliott Bay. The streets are hilly and uneven, but when properly graded, as they will be soon, will not be particularly difficult to drive over. I notice that work can be had by all who seek it, and the pay is good. Real estate is increasing rapidly in valuation. John Stenger, of Canyonville, was here a few months ago and bought property paying $100 therefor. Today he can take $150 for the same lots if he so chooses.
“I feel confident Seattle will be the metropolis of this Territory, if not of the northern coast, in less than twenty years.”
In 1882, Seattle was a raw, hilly town debating whether it would be overshadowed by Tacoma. Today's Seattleites, grappling with the long-term consequences of that explosive, unplanned growth, might find this early boosterism familiar—though the 'perils of the Columbia bar' have been replaced by modern worries about housing, transit, and density.
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