pioneersquare

1 Pioneer Square Historical Walking Tour Introduction: Pioneer Square encompasses the birthplace of modern Seattle and its first downtown. Most of the Square s buildings were erected within a decade of the disastrous Great Fire of June 6, 1889. The... More

1 Pioneer Square Historical Walking Tour Introduction: Pioneer Square encompasses the birthplace of modern Seattle and its first downtown. Most of the Square s buildings were erected within a decade of the disastrous Great Fire of June 6, 1889. The district began a slow decline during World War I and became better known as a derelict and decadent "Skid Road. " Preservationists rallied in the 1960s to save the area s exquisite ensemble of Victorian and Edwardian Era architecture from demolition. Today, Pioneer Square is protected by a 30-acre Historic District and a slightly larger Special Review District. The core of the neighborhood lies between Cherry Street on the north, 2nd Avenue on the east, Alaskan Way on the West, and S King Street on the south. Note: This tour is intended for personal use only and was prepared by HistoryLink for the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development, Tourism Division. Copyright 2001, City of Seattle. All References to contemporary businesse Less