Review

Nicely researched words and pictures, showing many Seattle locations and landmarks “then” (early 20th century, mostly) and “now” (around 2013). Mostly of interest to Seattlephiles (which I am decidedly not).

There is one story in this book that I’m not sure whether it makes me want to laugh or cry: Back around 1900 representatives of the Seattle chamber of commerce went to Alaska on a “cultural expedition”, where they promptly stole a 110 year old totem pole, brought it back to Seattle, and installed it in Pioneer square. The Alaskan Tlingit tribe sued them for $20,000 for the theft, but eventually settled for $500. Decades later, in 1938, the totem pole was destroyed by an arson fire. The city sent the ashes back to the Tlingits.

A replica of the totem pole was later installed in Pioneer Square.

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