The Struggle to Find Your Way in Early Seattle

The plan proposed in your Tuesday's issue attracted attention and uniform approval so far as I have heard. A few additional explanations seem necessary. The signs should be of uniform size, 8x12 inches square, with a black ground and plain block figures in white. Following the plan suggested, any one, no matter in what part of the city he may reside or do business, can ascertain the proper number of his building by counting the blocks north or south of Mill street, and the number of his building from the corner of the block. An unfortunate blunder has been made in naming streets running parallel to the shore of the bay. I hope it will be corrected before names are posted on the corners. Water should be changed to First; West to Second and Commercial and Front streets to Third. As now named most of the streets bearing numbers and names, and north of Mill street, run almost directly into streets south of Mill street bearing higher numbers or names. Thus Fourth street north and Fifth street south of Mill should have the same name, as they run directly into each other. Of course it is understood that for all streets bearing numbers for names the letters North or South must be employed to distinguish which side of the city. This would obviate some of the difficulties we now encounter.