Unearth Hidden History On An Underground Tour in Pioneer Square Seattle
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Like other big cities, Seattle is known for its largest landmark, the Space Needle, and other famous spots such as Pike Place Market, the endless waterfront, and the Smith Tower, but did you know that Seattle has a buried past? After moving to Seattle, I heard about the Seattle Underground Tour and became fascinated. I was hesitant at first and thought that we would just walk down into some old basement, but the more I researched the history of Seattle, the more I wanted to see what this tour was all about. Seattle has a bit of an odd history, it’s technically a city built on top of a city which is how the underground tour came to be!
Beneath the streets of Seattle lies a hidden world, a maze of forgotten alleys and abandoned storefronts. This is Seattle's Underground, a remnant of the city's turbulent past and a testament to its resilience. Once the main thoroughfares of a thriving frontier town, these underground passages now offer visitors a unique glimpse into the city's rich history and a chance to step back in time.
The Underground Tour in Pioneer Square is a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring Seattle. The tour takes you through the intricate network of underground tunnels and sidewalks, where you'll discover the stories of Seattle's early settlers, their struggles, and their triumphs. From the devastating Great Fire of 1889 that nearly destroyed the city to the interesting solution of rebuilding on top of the ruins, the Underground Tour brings history to life in a way that will leave you spellbound.
The Great Seattle Fire of 1889
On June 6, 1889, a catastrophic fire broke out in downtown Seattle, quickly engulfing the city's business district. The blaze began in a cabinet shop and rapidly spread, fueled by strong winds and the abundance of wooden structures. Within hours, it had consumed over 30 blocks, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The fire's devastation was immense, leveling numerous buildings, including hotels, banks, and businesses. Hundreds of residents were left homeless, and the city's economy was dealt a severe blow. Despite the efforts of firefighters from nearby towns, the fire raged uncontrolled for over 16 hours before finally burning itself out.
In the aftermath, Seattle faced a daunting task: rebuilding the city from the ashes. However, this tragedy presented an opportunity to address the city's existing infrastructure problems, including poor drainage and sewage systems. The decision was made to raise the street level, creating a new city on top of the ruins. This ambitious undertaking involved filling in the existing streets and constructing new buildings on the elevated ground level, leaving the remnants of the old city buried beneath.
History of Seattle’s Underground
In the aftermath of the fire, city leaders decided to undertake an ambitious rebuild, raising the street level by one to two stories to avoid future flooding and create a more modern city plan. Over the next several years, extensive efforts saw new buildings constructed at a higher grade, while the charred remnants of the old city remained buried underneath.
This new plan for rebuilding had a long timeline until completion and businesses were eager to be back in business so most in the downtown area didn’t wait for these new streets and sidewalks to be built. Over time, as the city continued its new plan, new roads at the higher level were built in between existing buildings and created 10-35’ drop-offs which in turn, created maze-like passageways throughout downtown. As time went on, sidewalks were added and Seattle’s past was soon forgotten.
Before the underground was completely sealed up and abandoned, it had become Seattle’s Red Light District and there were lots of black market deals and risqué activities happening down there. Eventually, it was so overrun with filth and rodents, that the city condemned it and it was completely sealed off for over 75 years.
While much of Seattle's underground remains sealed to this day, select portions were rediscovered in the 1960s. These rediscovered underground pathways and structures offered a fascinating glimpse into the city's rough-and-tumble pioneer past. They sparked renewed interest in the underground's history and quickly became a popular tourist attraction - one of my favorite in Seattle!
Exploring the Underground in Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square, located between downtown Seattle and the stadiums, is a historic neighborhood that played a pivotal role in the city's early development. This neighborhood is not only known for its stunning architecture and art galleries but also for its unique connection to Seattle's underground world.
Tour guides lead visitors through a labyrinth of underground corridors, storefronts, and even a former saloon, bringing to life the stories of the city's early settlers and the challenges they faced in rebuilding after the fire.
As you explore the underground in Pioneer Square, you'll be transported back in time, walking on the same pavements that once bustled with activity during Seattle's early days. The dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and eerie atmosphere create an immersive experience that allows you to imagine what life was like in the late 19th century.
Popular Underground Tour Companies
Two companies run underground tours in Seattle; Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour and Beneath the Streets Underground Tour. The tour I went on was with Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour but I’ve heard wonderful things about both companies so you can’t go wrong either way! Both tours have meeting points in Seattle’s Pioneer Square which are in the same two-block radius and are very similar to one another.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
Bill Speidel founded the Underground Tour in 1965 and it has been a hit ever since. The original underground tour takes place every day on the hour and tour tickets are $22 for adults. The tour itself lasts about 75 minutes which is the perfect amount of time. You’ll begin the tour in their building where you’ll meet your tour guide and hear a brief overview of how the tour was started and the quirky history of Seattle. My tour guide was Jim and he was amazing!
If you’re into paranormal activity, this tour company also offers a combo ticket including an underground tour paired with an underground paranormal activity experience for $50 per person.
Beneath the Streets Underground Tour
This tour company also offers daily tours but they are a little shorter being only an hour long. Tickets are $26 per person and they often have space for walk-ins. I’ve heard amazing things about this company as well and plan on testing them out soon. Beneath the Streets also offers a second tour which is adults-only and it puts a spotlight on the history of Seattle’s Red Light District. This tour is 75 minutes long, costs $28 per person, and only runs at 6:30pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Regardless of the tour company you choose, you're in for an unforgettable journey through Seattle's underground, uncovering the fascinating stories and secrets that lie beneath the city's surface.
What to Expect on an Underground Tour
As you descend beneath the modern streets, you'll be transported to the late 19th century, when Seattle was a young and rapidly growing frontier town.
The tours typically begin with a short introduction from your knowledgeable guide, who will provide historical context and set the stage for your underground adventure. You'll then make your way through a series of dimly lit, brick-lined corridors and abandoned storefronts, each with its own fascinating story to tell.
Along the way, your guide will share tales of Seattle's early pioneers and of the city's raucous past. You'll learn about the devastating fire of 1889 that nearly wiped out the entire city, and how the decision to rebuild on top of the existing infrastructure led to the creation of this mysterious underground world.
As you explore the underground, you’ll see old passageways that were once ground-level windows and doors, old oddities such as toilets and sewing machines, and you’ll learn about my favorite, the glass skylights. These skylights were installed into sections of the new, higher street level so that the underground wouldn’t be so dark. The tiles that make up the skylights when you’re underground, are small, square tiles that you see all over downtown Seattle on the sidewalks.
Throughout the tour, you’ll see three to four different sections of the underground and learn more history along the way. The underground is broken up into sections because it was sealed off for decades and all of the passages haven’t been cleared out or deemed safe enough to walk through. I won’t spoil all of the things you’ll learn or see on the underground tour, but it might just be the most interesting thing you can do while visiting Seattle.
Seattle's underground is a captivating and eerie glimpse into the city's layered past. By joining a guided tour through the hidden passageways of Pioneer Square, you'll uncover the fascinating history of how Seattle literally rose from the ashes after the Great Fire. From the preserved storefronts and remnants of daily life frozen in time to the spooky stories of ghosts and hauntings, an underground tour offers an unforgettable experience.
Whether you're a history buff, an urban explorer, or just looking for a unique Seattle adventure, touring the underground is a must-do. Book your spot on one of the acclaimed tours and prepare to be transported back in time as you tread the same paths as Seattle's pioneering residents. This is something I recommend to everyone when they visit Seattle. It’s so unique and I hope you love it as much as I did!
Happy travels!
-Tess
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Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
