Seattle's Historic Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is the historic heart of Seattle, Washington. This is where Seattle was founded, in 1852, following a brief six month settlement at Alki Point. The early structures in the neighborhood were mostly wooden, and nearly all burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. By the end of 1890, dozens of brick and stone buildings had been erected in their stead; to this day, the architectural character of the neighborhood derives from these late 19th century buildings. The Pioneer Square-Skid Road Historic District, (a small triangular plaza near the corner of First Avenue and Yesler Way originally known as Pioneer Place and several surrounding blocks) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.