Tickets available in advance, online here and by phone at 2066824646, or at our ticket counter at 614 first avenue, in pioneer place park, pioneer square. Apr 18, 2012 we spent an hour and a half exploring the seattle underground, winding our way through narrow passageways learning about the towns history by our animated guide. Today you can explore this part of seattle like a modern day catacombs. July 10, 2009 at some point in our history it became customary when visiting a city, to ascend its signature tall thing. Narrated like machinegun fire, the tour guide works to cram as much information as he or. Why there is a hidden world of underground cities atlas obscura. Our experienced guides lead small groups through, and beneath, pioneer square to the street level that existed in the 1890s. The guide for our group of about twenty had fun with the history, detailing the history of the founding of seattle, the sometimes infamous founding fathers and one founding mother, a madame, and how seattle came to even have an underground. This entertaining and educational underground voyage travels beneath the streets to uncover three blocks of historic, old pioneer square. Search for paranormal activity in the famous seattle underground using the same sophisticated investigative equipment employed by trained professional paranormal investigators. Along the way, guides tell you about seattle s history and divulge a few humorous stories about past residents. Dec 26, 2017 its creepyworld again seattles hidden underground city tells a fascinating story thanks for watching our videos and dont forget to subscribe. Along with financial relief, seattle gained 17,000 new residents in her race with tacoma for dominance of the region.
In the early days, the emerald city was prone to heavy flooding. An entire historic city, located beneath the modernday one. This was just enough time, any more historical facts and my head would have started spinningliterally. Explore seattles oldest neighborhood, pioneer square, from above and below on this unique walking history tour. Seattle quickly rebuilt using brick buildings that sat 20 feet 6. The seattle underground is a tourist attraction in seattle, washington that resulted from city planning after the destruction of a large number of downtown buildings during the great seattle fire in the late 19th century. Underground tour, bill speidels tours pioneer square bill speidels underground tour is seattles most unusual attraction, a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the great fire of 1889. Seattle subterranean seattle walking history tour youtube.
At one point, he tells the anecdote of a man hauled in front of a. Winston churchill supposedly said history is written by the victors, but in seattle, history. Our one hour walking tours are led by fun, professional, and seasoned tour guides who live and breathe seattle history. In one fell swoop, the city rid itself of 30 years of ramshackle construction and poor planningurban renewal before its time. Underground tour highlights seattles strange history. Search for paranormal activity in the famous seattle underground using the same sophisticated investigative equipment employed by. Books about seattle that everyone should read books. Nov 20, 2018 this popular book continues to be a bestseller as far as seattle history goes helped along by promotions at speidels popular underground tour in pioneer square, and is now in its 19th edition. Bill speidel is the author of the book that was banned from schools called. A highly fantasized version of underground seattle provided the setting for a 1973 madefortv thriller, the night strangler, starring darren mcgavin. Seattle underground paperback january 1, 1968 by bill speidel author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Bill speidels underground tour seattle 2020 all you need.
Underground book the seattle public library bibliocommons. A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of seattle. Beneath the streets underground history tour seattle. Although speidel started the worldfamous underground tour, spearheaded the campaign to preserve pioneer square, wrote a bestselling seattle history sons of the profits, and rediscovered one of seattles early heroes doc maynard, he is remembered most for his witan. Bill speidels underground tour seattle all you need to. Jan 26, 2007 i enjoyed vanishing seattle as well, although it leans heavily on the pictures and doesnt transmit a clear timeline or cohesive narrative of the history of the city. But that version of seattle, the original seattle, was extremely dangerous, subject to rampant floods and treacherously vulnerable to fire.
The 1 12 hour tour explores the underground passage that once were the main roads and storefronts of old downtown. As you descend into underground passageways that date back to the 1890s, your. Explore underground pathways that were built more than 120 years ago, learning details on early seattle history, why these spaces were built, and how they have been used and misused over the years. Pugmire, a seattle native and horror fiction writer of some renown amongst fans of h. The great seattle fire was a fire that destroyed the entire central business district of seattle, washington on june 6, 1889.
Jan 27, 2016 thrushs 2008 book is a rejoinder to all that, a vivid retelling of native history in seattle, and it is an incredible history. Along the way, guides tell you about seattles history and divulge a few humorous stories about past residents. I enjoyed vanishing seattle as well, although it leans heavily on the pictures and doesnt transmit a clear timeline or cohesive narrative of the history of the city. Seattle is a major port city that has a history of boom and bust. This is the main article of a series that covers the history of seattle, washington, a city in the pacific northwest region of the united states of america. Get ready to discover the original emerald city, the city of seattle, washington, from its inception in the 1890s. Books on seattles history seattleites librarything. This is the main article of a series that covers the history of seattle, washington, a city in the pacific northwest region of the united states of america seattle is a major port city that has a history of boom and bust. Bill speidels underground tour is seattles most unusual attraction, a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the great fire of 1889 the 75minute guided walking tour begins beneath doc maynards public house, then spills into historic pioneer square, seattles birthplace, before plunging. Jun 12, 2019 this underground excursion takes you through that subterranean city. Underground a human history of the worlds beneath our feet book. Its creepyworld again seattles hidden underground city tells a fascinating story thanks for watching our videos and dont forget to subscribe. Bill speidel establishes underground tour of seattles. In the 1950s, seattle local bill speidel began a campaign to save the neglected pioneer square area, largely on the strength of the story of the underground city.
Each underground passage reveled a little more of the history of seattle and their rival city tacoma. The conflagration lasted for less than a day, burning through the afternoon and into the night, and during the same summer as the great spokane fire and the great ellensburg fire. The basements of many downtown bars and hotels were linked to the willamette river waterfront through the tunnels, allowing supplies to be moved from ships docked there directly to basements. Bill speidels underground tour seattle all you need. Underground tour, seattle s most unusual attraction, is a humorous walking tour of the buried city.
Go underground on a 1hour walking history tour through seattle s original neighborhood. Portland, oregon underground shanghai tunnels legends. Seattle subterranean walking history tour from pioneer square 2020. The seattle city council had voted tops for topless gogo dancers because 25 protest. Seattleites knew so little hometown history that the existence of. Beneath the streets offers boutique tours dedicated to providing authentic and unique guided explorations through the historic underground passageways of seattles original neighborhood, pioneer square. Apr 06, 2020 the seattle underground is a tourist attraction in seattle, washington that resulted from city planning after the destruction of a large number of downtown buildings during the great seattle fire in the late 19th century. Dec 16, 2016 explore seattles oldest neighborhood, pioneer square, from above and below on this unique walking history tour. This popular book continues to be a bestseller as far as seattle history goes helped along by promotions at speidels popular underground tour in pioneer square, and is now in its 19th edition.
A great and unique way to learn the history of seattle. Explore underground pathways that were built more than 120 years ago, learning details on early seattle history, why these spaces were built, and how they have been used and misused. As soon as i figured that out, i immediately booked a ticket to tour the caves, tunnels, and corridors of the historic seattle underground. Rainier, sons of the profits, the wet side of the mountains, and doc maynard. John stone, an american secret agent, witnessed a massacre committed towards the end of world war ii, in which dozens of french resistance fighters were killed. Exploring the seattle underground bucket list journey. Below seattle lies the older seattle, in ruins dark and scroungy. After the streets were elevated, these spaces fell into disuse, but have become a tourist attraction in recent decades.
About bill speidels underground tour the underground paranormal experience gives you the expertise and equipment to do your own investigation. Does the seattle underground tour bury the real story. Dive into seattle history at the underground tour the. Bill speidel, founder of the underground tour, is remembered as one of the last of a few genuine oldtime seattle characters. The underground tour its a fantastic trip back in time. Seattle underground seattle, washington atlas obscura. The seattle underground is a network of underground passageways and basements in downtown pioneer square, seattle, washington, united states that were at ground level when the city was built in the mid19th century. Bill speidels underground tour seattle 2020 all you. Bill speidel authored several popular histories and guides, including you cant eat mt.
Historyplex attempts to scratch beneath modern seattles shiny wet surface to get to the history of seattles underground city. The city was then rebuilt on top of the old ruins, which are still open to tours today. Item 1736, city light photographic prints record series 120402 seattle lies on a narrow strip of land between the salt waters of puget sound and the fresh waters of lake washington. Beyond the waters lie two rugged mountain ranges, the olympics to the west and the cascades to the east. Our tour guide provided information on the history of the city including the shipping ports, role in the klondike gold rush, the beginning of modern plumbing and sewage system in pioneer square, as well as the colorful personalities who shaped. Discover pioneer square, the emerald citys original neighborhood.
Underground seattle tour in seattle, washington kid. The underground tour finally was opened to the public. Marvel at how this once indian encampment has since transformed into one of the 20 largest cities in the united states. The seattl e undergrou nd is a network of undergrou nd passageways and basements in downtown pioneer sq uare, seat tle, washington, united states that were at ground level w hen the city was built in the mid19th century. Explores the history, science, architecture, and mythology of the subterranean landscape, discussing the nature of human relationships with caves, catacombs, subway systems, and abandoned mines. So begins the short, quirky and fun descent into the emerald citys underground. The rats are pretty big down here, so dont fall behind. I, personally, did not want to press my nose to the glass floor where dirty feet walked, so i decided to take. Exploring seattles underground in pioneer square hidden. A remnant of another time, left to crumble to dust. I immediately booked a ticket to tour the caves, tunnels, and corridors of the historic seattle underground.
A fire caused downtown seattle to burn to the ground in 1889. Beneath the streets underground history tour viator. Just below street level of pioneer square in seattle, washington lived a secret world to us today seattles underground tour starts in the heart of pioneer square and if you look through the glass grates scattered throughout the sidewalks, you may get a glimpse of what lies below. Many of the buildings were built in the late 1800s, after the great seattle fire of 1889, when a fire from a glue pot in a carpentry shop ended up burning down 25 city blocks. Seattles underground tour showing the history under the streets of seattles first. The shanghai tunnels or portland underground consist of tunnel passages linking portlands old town chinatown to the central downtown area of portland. The seattle underground is a network of underground passageways and basements in downtown pioneer square, seattle, washington, united states that were at ground level when the city. The underground paranormal experience gives you the expertise and equipment to do your own investigation.
As you descend into underground passageways that date back to. This underground excursion takes you through that subterranean city. Seattle s modern history began on the rainsoaked morning of november, 1851, when a bedraggled group of settlers rowed ashore from the schooner exact and set foot on todays alki beach. Seattle has on several occasions been sent into severe decline, but has typically used those periods to successfully rebuild infrastructure.
Thrushs 2008 book is a rejoinder to all that, a vivid retelling of native history in seattle, and it is an incredible history. The surprisingly scandalous history of early seattle neatorama. Regardless, in seattle, wa, that tall thing is the space needle, from whose saucer summit you can delight in views of the city skyline, mount rainier, elliott bay, and the apartment of frasi. Explore underground pathways that were built more than 120 years ago, learning details on early seattle history, why these spaces were built, and how they have been used. Regardless, in seattle, wa, that tall thing is the space needle, from whose saucer summit you can delight in views of the city skyline, mount rainier, elliott bay, and the apartment of frasier crane. Bet you didnt know the history of seattles underground city. Bet you didnt know the history of seattle s underground city. Located in northern france, the underground city of naours includes two miles of tunnels and more than 300 manmade roomsall of them hidden some 100 feet beneath a forested plateau. Read how a freak fire incident gave seattle the opportunity to build a new city for itself. Historyplex attempts to scratch beneath modern seattle s shiny wet surface to get to the history of seattle s underground city. Discover seattle underground in seattle, washington.
In which the truth, the whole truth, and a lot more than the truth is told about the forgotten city which lies beneath seattles modern streets by seattle historian, humorist and author of the bestselling sons of the profits. Soon after, the mayor was presented with 100,000 names on a petition, and in may, 1970, the seattle city council adopted an ordinance naming 20 square blocks in pioneer square an historic district. The tour ends in rogues gallery and the underground gift shop, where youll find displays depicting the past and northwest memorabilia. After the great fire of seattle in 1889 the city of seattle was rebuilt on top of the ruins. Oct 26, 2014 the guide for our group of about twenty had fun with the history, detailing the history of the founding of seattle, the sometimes infamous founding fathers and one founding mother, a madame, and how seattle came to even have an underground. Seattles hidden underground city tells a fascinating story. Seattle has on several occasions been sent into severe decline, but has typically used those periods to successfully. Jan 29, 2018 well, as it turns out, there is an actual underground seattle. Most of the party of two dozen men, women, and children had been led by arthur denny over the oregon trail from. A history of seattle city light, offers a lively look at the publicly owned utility from its start to present day, including fascinating historical photographs. Go underground on a 1hour walking history tour through seattles original neighborhood. The surprisingly scandalous history of early seattle jill harness wednesday, february 9, 2011 at 5.
Well, as it turns out, there is an actual underground seattle. Bill speidels underground tour of seattle isnt very long and it doesnt take an inordinate amount of time but it certainly is a departure from most city tours. Books about seattle that everyone should read books the. For more than a century, seattle city light has charted one of the most remarkable histories in the u.
The history of this underground seattle is an interesting one. As a remedy, the city began to build elevated streets. Seattle map 4 downtown catacombs on november 14, 1960, the seattle times ran a story about the almost forgotten ghost town under downtown seattle. Beneath the streets underground history tour provided by. One of the most interesting tidbits of seattle history that i learned from the tour is the influential role that women played in creating seattle. Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Speidel even wrote a book about seattle history, called sons of the profit, which is still in print today. Pioneer squares most famous tour tells saucy tales of our early daysbut some worry its history is a little onedimensional. Youll see and hear the history of the neighborhood from both the original and current street levels. An old bar at the underground tour july 2018 a city built on the backs of women. And, absolutely unintentionally, the underground was created. Narrated like machinegun fire, the tour guide works to cram as much information as he or she can muster into the 90minute, threeblock walk under seattles historic pioneer square. Seattle, washington, has a secret underground city that burned down in 1889. Even if you dont take the underground tour, you can still see so much of seattle history, just by walking through the streets of this neighborhood.