Seattle’s Pike Place Market opened 117 years ago today

Plus, the houses would only sell the farmer’s produce on commission, meaning they only paid for what they sold. But farmers accused the houses of claiming they didn’t sell the product and saying it spoiled, when in reality the houses sold the product and pocketed everything.

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Additionally, some houses imported fruits and vegetables from California and undercut the locally grown food.

On top of all that, consumers said the houses would toss any surplus, keeping demand high and forcing prices up.

Happy 117th Birthday to Pike Place Market!

And if you’ve ever thought that Pike Street is busy now, look at the foot, hoof, auto, surrey, cart, streetcar, and wagon traffic in 1912. pic.twitter.com/UjXwbhDlGx

— Washington State Archives (@WAStateArchives) August 17, 2024

In July 1907, in response to complaints from consumers and farmers, Seattle City Council member Thomas P. Revelle introduced an ordinance that created a farmers market at Pike Place. It passed on Aug. 5.

On Aug. 17, the city set up an area for farmers to set up their wagons and proclaimed it as “Market Day.”

The commission houses threatened to blacklist any farmers that sold at the Market and only eight farmers arrived the first day. They were immediately overwhelmed by the crowd and completely sold out.

On Aug. 19, ten farmers arrived. On Aug. 20, ten more. By Saturday, Aug. 24, nearly 70 wagons filled up the Market with produce to sell.

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