Pike Place Public Market

Pike Place Public Market is probably the second best known tourist landmark in the City of Seattle. Located almost on the waterfront, and elevated a significant distance above it, the Market has been a destination for locals and tourists alike for over a hundred years.

The market opened on August 17, 1907 with ten farmers selling produce out of the back of their wagons. The crowds were such that every single one was sold out by noon that day. And thus, an undeveloped tract of land suddenly became some of the hottest real estate in the city. The first building was opened in November of that same year and rapidly grew.

During and after World War II there was a downturn in attendance at the market. Part of this was due to the fact that many of the farmers selling product here were of Japanese-American descent affected by Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066. But no doubt a larger part was America’s new found fascination with “modern conveniences” and mass production that led to the modern grocery store.

In 1963 proposals to demolish the market were opposed by citizens, resulting in a non-profit to run the Market. There have been a number of other controversies over the years, but they all seem to have been worked out, allowing Pike Place Public Market to serve an estimated 10 million visitors every year.