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

First Avenue

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2011

1. First Avenue Marker

Inscription. A main north-south artery of Seattle, stretching north from the original Pioneer Square business district, First Avenue was lined with offices, leading hotels, banks and even a few residences. Until the mid-20th century, the street was also home to boarding houses, wholesale firms, and small factories located inside old buildings. Second Avenue, paralleling First, also had a broad range of businesses and formed an integral part of the downtown. Today, with a different commercial blend that features specially shops and restaurants, First Avenue remains a vital north-south corridor for the city.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 47° 36.491′ N, 122° 20.376′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. It is on First Avenue south of Pike Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 First Avenue, Seattle WA 98101, 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: "This Market Is Yours" (within shouting distance of this marker); Developing the Market (about 500 feet away); The Brooklyn Building (about 800 feet away); Colonial Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Everett G. DuPen

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Grand Pacific Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seattle Union Record (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seattle Union Record (1918-1928) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Other markers no longer nearby. Welcome to The Public Market (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Visit of President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Great White Fleet” (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Waterfront History (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); ‘Miike Maru’ (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); "Ton of Gold" (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Joshua Green (was about 800 feet away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. This marker is duplicated at other locations on First Avenue.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2011

2. First Avenue Marker

First Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2011

3. First Avenue

Seattle Art Museum (SAM) in the distance.

The Pike Street Market from First Avenue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 13, 2011

4. The Pike Street Market from First Avenue

Close-Up of Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Pemco Webster and Stevens Collection/Museum of History and Industry

5. Close-Up of Photo Displayed on Marker

Early view of First Avenue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 7, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.