Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

Seattle’s Pike Place Market is a public market overlooking Elliott Bay. Opening August 17, 1907, this is one of the oldest continually operating public farmers markets in the United States. Pike Place Market was added to the national register of historic places in November 1971.

In the early 1900s, the price of onions rose from ten cents per pound to one dollar per pound. Angry, at this price gouging by middlemen, the housewives of Seattle besieged the city council and demanded the city establish a public market where they, the consumer could “meet the producers” and deal directly.

Braving a summer storm on Saturday August 17, 1907, hundreds of Seattle housewives arrivedat the city’s newly built plank roadway. This was the city council’s answer to the request for a public farmers market. Since the word had not reached all the farmers, only a few showed up, their wagons filled with produce. Well, talk about locust! It did not take those “ladies” long to strip the wagons bare of produce. A “clamorous fiasco” was how it was later described.

At this time, Seattle was being supplied with fresh fruits and vegetables from over 3000 farmers. As the word spread about the new public market, many farmers from near and far were soon bringing their produce to the Pike Place Market on Saturdays. This increase in participation from the farmers was a relief to the City Fathers and a delight to the Seattle housewives and their pocketbooks.

Throughout the years, the Pike Place Market was not without its problems as it continued to grow. Economic ups and downs, along with political infighting over the Markets expanding roll and space needs, were just a few of the hurdles to be crossed.

Japanese Americans owned more than two-thirds of the produce stalls in Pike Place Market by the early 1940s. The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1940 and President Roosevelt’s internment order for all west coast Americans of Japanese ancestry caused the removal from our area and relocation to internment camps of all our Japanese American citizens. The property, including homes, belongings and businesses (their stall at the Pike Place Market), were confiscated and sold. This was certainly a shameful time in our history and in Western Washington.

Since the beginning of human history, centrally located public areas have had a place that, by common usage, became known as the public speakers forum and this was the case with the Pike Place Market.

The area beneath the neon sign and giant clock, trade marks of the main market, became Seattle’s speakers’ forum. This was the place where socialists, communists, evangelists, women’s movements supporters and those in favor of prohibition, as well as, your average crackpot could find a place to present their case or just harangue the milling crowds with their message.

During the 1940s, after the relocation of the Japanese Americans, an enterprising businesswoman named Nellie Curtis took over the lease on the Outlook Hotel. Nellie promptly renamed her hotel The LaSalle. She turned the hotel into a “rest and relaxation place” for sailors on leave.

However, with hundreds, maybe thousands of sailors regularly lining up at the door, her efforts at keeping a low profile proved unsuccessful. Luckily it was a time of war and nobody seemed to concern. Nellie kept her establishment going for about ten years.

Nellie Curtis’ LaSalle hotel was finally purchased by Japanese Americans who probably renamed it and turned it back into a legitimate hotel. This proved to be a great disappointment to many a lonely sailor, looking for a little R&R.

Today, Rachel the pig, the bronze mascot of The Pike Place Market, stands in the old speaker’s forum spot. Rachel is the piggy bank for the Market. She collects over $9,000 U.S. annually in currencies from around the world. This money is used by the Market Foundation for its social service programs. When you give money to Rachel and rub her snout, it is said you are sure to have good luck.

Stroll the many levels of the Market and browse through the shops of antiques, comic books, vintage clothes, items from other countries and cultures, Native American artwork and crafts, family owned restaurants, and one of Seattle’s few remaining head shops.

The street level of The Pike Place Market is a feast for the eyes and a treat for the nose, with stalls of artistically arranged colorful vegetables and fruits that beckon to you. However, the small “do not touch” signs will cause you to put your hands in your pockets, for fear you will not be able to resist just one small touch or squeeze.

Bakeries, restaurants, take away food kiosks, and gourmet food vendors abound, alongside, stalls selling fresh seasonal flowers. Bouquets are just waiting for a chance to become a centerpiece for your table. Arts and crafts of an infinite variety await your inspection. Be sure to chat up the artists who have produced these lovely and interesting items.

The biggest attractions at the Market are the seafood vendors, some with their “flying fish” delivery system. You will join a cast of millions who have been delighted by our local fish mongers. There are so many kinds of fish displayed on ice, that you can easily lose track of all you’ve seen.

Come join the hustle and bustle of everyday life at the Market. Take an hour or a day enjoying the vibrant, friendly, entertaining and unique atmosphere of the Market. You can spend a lot or a little, as the Market and its slice of life is free for the partaking.

The Pike Place Market is a must see, which has made it Seattle’s most popular attraction.