Seattle's Pike Place Market

Well, no one really intentionally named the market after Pike. It was only an accident of location that the Seattle's "Public Market Center" became known as the Pike Place Market. The name orginated from the fact that the main entrance to the market is located at the end of Pike Street and the street that provides the main access to the market was named Pike Place. Pike Street was named after John Pike, an early Seattle pioneer and builder, but he was NOT involved in the creation of the market that now bears his last name. By the way, the surest way to reveal oneself as a tourist is to call it the "Pikes" Place Market.

To the locals it is simply the Pike Place Market or "the market".




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The history of the Seattle WA Pike Place Market is rather long and filled with tales of intrigue and conflict. Its very beginning was threatened and there have been several hard fought political battles to keep it alive. Its continued existence relies on donations, grants and the citizens of Seattle who have supported it. Most people visiting the market probably aren't interested in all of the details, so here a condensed version of the highlights (and low lights):



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Here are some key historical points:

* The market was established in response to protests from local farmers to elected officials about the low prices they were paid for their goods by wholesalers. Consumers were also complaining about the high prices they were paying for farm products. At that time, the famers sold on consignment to the wholesalers and were to be paid a percentage of the price paid by consumers. The percentage was rather paltry, but even with the low percentage they were supposed to be paid there were accusations that farmers were being cheated and not paid the full amount they were owed.

* The Pike Place Market was established in 1907 through the use of a city ordinance passed in 1896 that allowed the city to designate areas as public markets where farmers could sell their products directly to consumers and consumers were encouraged to "Meet the Producer"

*Wholesalers attempted to sabotage the initial opening day on August 17, 1907 by buying up as much of the produce from the farmers as they could to eliminate the supply on opening day. The wholesalers also issued threats of violence and reprisals to any farmer who sold at the farmer's market. The farmers were notified that if the market was a failure, the wholesalers would not buy anything from any farmer who participated at the market. The market opened in spite of the threats, but with only a few brave farmers participating. Hundreds of consumers arrived in the morning and all of the farmers sold out their produce by noon.



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*The market continued to expand in size through the 1920s and became a social center of the city.

*During World War II, the market declined. By this time, many of the farmers who had stalls were Japanese-Americans and they were forced to move into internment camps for the duration of the war. Food was also rationed during the war to make sure adequate amounts were available for troops overseas making less available for sale to consumers.


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*In the 1950s and 1960s the market continued to decline. The suburbs were being built outside Seattle and people were shopping at malls and strip malls that were sprouting up near their homes. Businesses in the market were failing, some spaces were vacant and many of the old buildings in the market were run down, dilapitated and in need of repair. The culture of the time was to tear down the old buildings and replace them with something new. In 1963, a demolition of the market was proposed to make way for development. Eventually the proposal was stopped by community opposition.

*In 1971 a citizen's initiative was placed on the ballot and passed to create a preservation zone and return the market to public ownership. The city created a Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) to run the market. The buildings were rennovated and repaired.

*The the 1980s the Pike Place Market Foundation was created to help raise funds for the market's need for ongoing maintenance and repairs and to fund the free health clinic, senior center, childcare center and low income housing that is contained within the market's designated historical district. The foundation raised approximately $1.6 million primarily through the sale of personalized tiles that replaced the wooden floors on top floor of the market.

*Today the market is thriving and has become the top attraction for visitors to the city.

No visit to the market would be complete without a few minutes spent watching the antics of the employees of the Pike Place Fish Market as they throw fish back and forth over the counter. Originally it started as a quick way to pass a fish that had been sold from one employee behind the counter to another in front of the counter, but it has evolved into an entertainment act which has made the Pike Place Fish Company "World Famous". The Pike Place Fish Company is just inside the main entrance of the market off Pike Street under the clock and right behind Rachel the Pig.

(Photo by VickiSims)

There are always many artists at the market. You can watch some of them as they create their masterpieces. You can even have your portrait done!

(Photo by VickiSims)

Patrick Kerr is an artist who specializes in beautiful pen and ink sketches of local scenes. His shop is located in the Pike Place Market in space #323.

(Photo by VickiSims)

Seattle's Pike Place Market is a great place to wander around on your own for free, but if you would like to get more out of your visit to the market, you can take a guided walking tour.

Pike Place Market Food and Cultural Walking Tour - Eat your way through Seattle's most celebrated culinary landmark -- the Pike Place Market. Go behind the scenes on a walking tour to experience some of the city's favorite market spots. Taste locally made foods and beverages that will awaken your palate, meet and interact with the exceptional people that give the market life and hear their humble, often humorous stories.

If you are looking for funky and inexpensive lodging, the Green Tortoise Hostel is on Pike Street less than a block away from the main entrance to the Pike Place Market. Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about Green Tortoise Hostel

(Photo by VickiSims)

Although the Pike Place Market is free, there are other Seattle attractions that have an admission charge. If you are planning to visit Seattle, consider purchasing a Seattle CityPASS to save a considerable amount of money on the cost of your visit to the most popular attractions.

The Seattle CityPASS contains tickets to 6 of the most popular attractions in Seattle and is valid for 9 days. The booklet includes admission to the following:

1) Space Needle
2) Seattle Aquarium
3) Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
4) Pacific Science Center
5) Woodland Park Zoo;
6) Option Ticket - with choice of either Museum of Flight or Experience Music Project -- Science Fiction Museum.

Adult Seattle CityPASS