Pioneer Square in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Who landed here?

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

1. Who landed here? Marker

Inscription. Seattle, as we know it today, began as a port. This was the city’s front door.

Seattle built this shelter in 1920 to create a welcoming entrance to a proud city. The Washington Street Boat Landing welcomed Navy crews from their giant ships anchored farther out. It served as headquarters for the city’s Harbor Patrol and as a public boat landing. The boat landing closed in 1970, but the historic landmark remains as a symbol of Seattle’s early history.

Photo caption one:
Even before European settlers arrived, this was one of the few good landing spots along the shore. As the settlement became a thriving port, the area was filled in until it was unrecognizable from its natural form.

Photo caption two:
Since 1877, Seattle’s Harbor Patrol has taken care of boats in trouble, enforced speed limits, and kept navigation routes open in support of a growing company.

Erected by Trails2Treasure.org.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. 47° 36.057′ N, 122° 20.125′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County.

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It is in Pioneer Square. It is at the intersection of South Washington Street and Alaskan Way S, on the right when traveling west on South Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76 S Washington St, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Who Belongs Here? / Violence & Vitriol (within shouting distance of this marker); Chun Ching Hock (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballast Island (within shouting distance of this marker); Maynard Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Square Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); What was Yesler’s Way? / How did a parking garage spark a preservation movement?

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

2. Who landed here? Marker

(about 300 feet away); Schwabacher’s Store (about 300 feet away); Indians Attack Seattle! Jan. 26, 1856 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Steamer Idaho Wreckage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Historic Seattle Harbor Boat Landing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

3. Historic Seattle Harbor Boat Landing

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.