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

Seattle Union Record (1918-1928)

Former Headquarters and Printing Plant

— Harry E.B. Ault, Editor and Manager —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

1. Former Headquarters and Printing Plant Marker

Inscription. The only daily labor newspaper in the U.S. with a peak circulation of 112,000 copies. Owned by the Seattle Central Labor Council, affiliated unions and trade councils.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 47° 36.635′ N, 122° 20.52′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. It is on 1st Avenue west of Stewart Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1920 1st Ave, 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

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Seattle Union Record (here, next to this marker); Welcome to The Public Market (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Developing the Market (about 600 feet away); Crystal Pool (about 700 feet away); Guiry/Schillestad Buildings (about 700 feet away); "This Market Is Yours" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where did this bridge used to go? / Where does this bridge go now? (approx. 0.2 miles away); “Great White Fleet” (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Welcome to The Public Market (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Seattle Union Record (1918-1928). The Alaska Trade Building was formerly known as the Union Record Building.

Also see . . .
1. Seattle Union Record.

The Seattle Union Record, published from 1899 to 1928, was labor's voice in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years, reaching a peak circulation of 80,000, and achieving its greatest fame during the 1919 Seattle General Strike. The paper was owned by
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

2. Former Headquarters and Printing Plant Marker
the Central Labor Council of Seattle (predecessor to King County Labor Council), and was edited for much of its existence by Harry B. Ault (1883-1961). The weekly Union Record became a daily paper on April 24, 1918, and ceased publication after 28 years in 1928.

(Submitted on March 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

2. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form (1971). Statement of Significance:

The importance of this building is in its association with the personalities and activities and history of the "Seattle Union Record", unique in the annals of American labor as the only labor-owned daily newspaper.

The "Record" began as a weekly, 1910; in 1912 Harry E. B. Ault, secretary of the Central Labor Council became editor; 1918, April 22, the first labor owned daily newspaper appeared on the streets of Seattle. Under Ault's leadership, circulation climbed from 3,000 to 50,000, to the high of 112,000 in January of 1919.

By 1921, the "Record" had outgrown the quarters in the Labor Temple. The Central Labor Council and the Local Trade Unions bad bought the building at 1915
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

3. Former Headquarters and Printing Plant Marker
A National Register of Historic Places plaque hangs in the main entrance lobby and reads:

Alaska Trade Building - Under the Provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of October 15, 1966. This Property Possesses Exceptional Value in Commemorating, or Illustrating American History. Placed on the National Register on May 6, 1971 by the National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
First Avenue, remodeled, bought new equipment, and had a responsibility of $290,000 gross. It was a difficult and ambitious undertaking in those turbulent years of general unrest, economic instability, and violence.

The importance of the "Record" cannot be underestimated. It was a powerful voice in the community and played an important role in labor activities by (1) providing means of communication and creating a feeling of unity in labor, (2) by giving laboring men a sense of place in the community at the same time notifying Seattle of labor's aspiration. The businessmen and other papers were viewing with alarm the success of the daily paper.

Despite financial problems, internal dissention and dwindling advertising, the "Record" survived but the end was near. It came with the rise to power of Dave Beck whose theories and philosophies of labor relations differed sharply from his predecessors. Under Beck's leadership, the Central Labor Council sold the paper to Harry Ault in 1924. The paper expired in 1928.

(Submitted on March 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026

4. Former Headquarters and Printing Plant Marker

The marker can be seen on the left wall of the main entrance.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.