The Buried Treasure of Seattle’s Industrial Future
A real estate notice reveals the immense value—and looming development—of a coal field near Lake Washington, long before the city’s urban expansion.
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.
An undivided one-eighth interest in and to the north half, and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 36, township 24 north, range 5 east, is offered for $17,500. The above is one of the best coal properties in Washington Territory, and is fully developed. The tract contains over six million tons of good coal and is well worthy of investigation by anyone desiring to invest. This property remains a cornerstone of future industrial potential for the region, currently under the management of the executor of the late P.C. Comstock's estate.
“The above is one of the best coal properties in Washington Territory, and is fully developed.”
This 1886 real estate notice captures the early industrial engine of Seattle, where coal, not tech, was the primary driver of rapid expansion. Today, the geography mentioned near Lake Washington highlights the stark contrast between the resource-extraction era of the 19th century and the dense, modern residential neighborhoods that now sit atop what were once vast, untapped energy reserves.
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