Downtown Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Indians Attack Seattle! Jan. 26, 1856
Historical Point of Interest
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011
1. Indians Attack Seattle! Marker
The settlement would have been destroyed but for the presence of the U.S. Sloop of War “Decatur”. Anchored off this point, she fired a volley at the attackers, frightening them into hasty retreat.
Erected National Maritime Day 1959
Erected 1959.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 26, 1856.
Location. Memorial has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 47° 36.082′ N, 122° 20.193′ W. Memorial was in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It was in Downtown Seattle. It was on Alaskan Way South near Yesler Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial was at or near this postal address: 101 Alaskan Way South, Carnation WA 98014, United States of America.
We have been informed that this memorial is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this memorial was in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. It was also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Habitat Beach (a few steps from this marker); Ever-Changing Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Chun Ching Hock (within shouting distance of this marker); Who Belongs Here? / Violence & Vitriol (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballast Island (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Who landed here? (about 300 feet away); Pioneer Square Hotel (about 300 feet away); What was Yesler’s Way? / How did a parking garage spark a preservation movement? (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
Other markers no longer nearby. Seattle’s First Pier (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Steamer Idaho Wreckage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this memorial. This marker,
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011
2. Indians Attack Seattle! Marker
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 20, 2026
3. Former marker location
A photo taken in February, 2026 that shows the area where the historical marker was located.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,310 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on September 14, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
