Seattle’s First Pier

Historical Point of Interest

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011

1. Seattle’s First Pier Marker

Inscription.
Seattle’s first pier lies buried beneath your feet. The famous Yesler sawmill and wharf, constructed in 1853m marked the birth of Seattle’s great lumber and shipping industries. For many years it was the center of Seattle’s business district.

Erected National Maritime Week – 1964

Erected 1964 by Yukon Club & Propeller Club – Port of Seattle.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 47° 36.086′ N, 122° 20.198′ W. Marker 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. Marker was at or near this postal address: 101 Alaskan Way South, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

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

It was also on the American Pacific

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Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it was in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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 location: Habitat Beach (within shouting distance of 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 400 feet away); What was Yesler’s Way? / How did a parking garage spark a preservation movement? (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Other markers no longer nearby. Indians Attack Seattle! Jan. 26, 1856 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Steamer Idaho Wreckage (was within shouting distance of this marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011

2. Seattle’s First Pier Marker

but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker, along with a small number of related markers, were removed during the 2019–2025 Seattle Waterfront Restoration Program to rehabilitate the waterfront and never replaced. An updated photo shows the area where the marker was located.

Additional keywords. pier

Former marker location image. Click for full size.

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 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 31 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.