Sunday's Market Friday
The city of Seattle burned in 1889. Burned to the ground. What was left was char and rodent carcasses. There is a lot to be said about the fire elsewhere, but the tl/dr of it is that a series of unfortunate circumstances - including the explosion of massive quantities of alcohol (perhaps the most critical fatality) - led to the business district burning itself to the ground.
In the truest entrepreneurial spirit, however (to the magnitude that "making lemonade of lemons" look quaint), the city not only rebuilt, but rebuilt higher. Literally. The business district raised itself 20 feet so it would quit flooding when the ocean tide came in. One would have thought that someone would have thought of that earlier, but apparently making lemonade only comes to mind when one's lemon's explode and burn.
After the fire was over and the rebuilding process began, city planners decided that the time was right to fix the flooding issue as well. Literally, the buildings in the business district were built with two things in mind: 1. They needed a main floor immediately to conduct business, and 2. they needed a second main floor 20 feet higher to conduct business when the new streets were constructed 20 feet higher as well.
Wikipedia has a good article here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Underground - it can do a better job describing the "under ground" and "above ground" than I can.
I went on a tour of the Seattle Underground last week. I place this into Market Friday because these buildings used to actually be a market. When originally built they were above ground and at street level. Now they're beneath ground and somewhat ugly.
These would have been windows that looked out onto the street.
People would have sat at this bar looking out of the window onto the street.
People would have used this toilet after sitting at the bar looking out the windows onto the street.
And someone would have climbed these stairs at some point.
Honestly, the beginning of the tour dragged a little and I was tempted to leave and find my hotel. I'm glad I stayed, though, as it really turned out to be fascinating. A lot of what was once residential and business belongings still reside beneath the street, such as this plough, and the remnants of an elevator motor which was designed by Nicholas Tesla.
If you ever find yourself in Seattle, I do recommend going on a tour of the underground. If nothing else, you'll leave with a good appreciation of modern plumbing.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
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Sometimes photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd.
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I can imagine the losses they must have had when everything got burnt down. Really sad! The place was indeed a nice place with beautiful designs
Wowwww.. I’m stunned. Never heard about this history and oh my, what a loss they must have felt then. But good things sometimes come out of bad situations. This was really interesting to read.. almost didn’t want the post to end, lol.
Haha, I could have continued, but it would have been about sewage and include far too many poop jokes. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Loool good thing you stopped where you did 🤣
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you for supporting #MarketFriday! It has always been interesting to walk through a post and get a view of another part of our world. Seriously, isn't it interesting to do that? I have read all of the posts, and it is always a pleasure, and most of you know I had something unexpected this week, taking me out of town, so I am late to the comments, which I apologize for. My apologies and it is not a habit as I know everyone works hard to put together great posts. I had wonderful posts this week! I hope that you took the time to go around and check a few out. It makes a better community when the interaction is genuine! Thank you! It helps me out when I am not the only comment on a post. :)
Thank you so much! It is very appreciated!
#MarketFriday began as a way to reach out across the globe and learn about different cultures through their markets, especially local markets and farmers' markets, and eventually branched out and evolved over time from straight shopping to a cultural affair as it highlights how we differ and then again, how much we are alike. We have become a melting pot of culture, but, it is still the Rituals, Festivals, food, architecture, and even your language/languages that separate us... Along with the fact that is these things are normal for us. There are unwritten rules that rule our social behaviors. I see this as allowing for increased tolerance between cultures and nations, and opportunities to come together on an even playing ground. A strong culture can be beneficial to a country as it promotes unity, especially during a crisis, peaceful debate, and open dialogue. I have learned so much about all of you and it has been an amazing experience. I can only hope that learning about each other can help us work together for a peaceful world.
Fridays are all about the #MarketFriday Challenge! Looking to take part in it? Here is how:
Take pictures! Be creative!
5. Drop the link into the MarketFriday comment section so I can find it
**7. You must put #MarketFriday by @dswigle somewhere on your post.
As always, please remember! #MarketFriday loves you!
Apologies! I loved the pictures and the fact you did a #MarketFriday for me! Don't think I don't appreciate it. The special attention fell down this week, I am here trying to do the Markets from last week and write tonight's post!
Oi!
Hi, Victor!
Haha, no worries at all! You're a busy person. I've been barely about (aboot?) at all this week.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Well, I read it if that counts. So very lame. I am never this bad! :(