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Articles by Greg Lange
Seattle’s Pike Place Market Opens on August 17, 1907
On August 17, 1907, about eight farmers sell their produce from wagons and carts to large crowds at Pike Place, just west of 1st Avenue in downtown Seattle. The farmers market comes into being in opposition to unethical commission houses, which pay the farmer little and charge the consumer much. The first market immediately sells out, and marks the beginning of the Pike Place Market, which will continue to flourish for more than a century.
After a long illness, Bill Moyers, a revered journalist, author, and public television host, passed away on June 26, 2025, at the age of 91. Moyers dedicated his life to exploring the intersection of politics, culture, and society and was known for his thought-provoking documentaries and interviews. He gained prominence as a White House press secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson before transitioning to a celebrated career in journalism.
Transcontinental Auto Race Ends in Seattle on June 23, 1909
On June 23, 1909, a Ford automobile arrives in Seattle from New York City in 23 days flat, completing one of the very early transcontinental automobile races across North America. This Model T Ford arrives first but is later disqualified because the drivers changed the axle during the race. The winner (the second to arrive) is a Shawmut. The race is part of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (A-Y-P).
Lincoln is assassinated and Olympia and Seattle mourn on April 15, 1865.
Lincoln is assassinated and Olympia and Seattle mourn on April 15, 1865. By Greg Lange Posted 2/03/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 858 At about 1 p.m. on April 15, 1865, Olympia and Seattle (probably at the same time) receive news by telegraph that President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) has died that morning from an assassin's bullet he received the night before. Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America, and guided the country through the Civil War.
Lesbians and gays celebrate Seattle's first Gay Pride Week beginning on June 24, 1974.
Lesbians and gays celebrate Seattle's first Gay Pride Week beginning on June 24, 1974. By Greg Lange Posted 3/13/2003 HistoryLink.org Essay 5409 From June 24 to June 30, 1974, Seattle's lesbians and gays celebrate the city's first Gay Pride Week. This is the first event in the region in which the gay community as a whole comes out of its collective closet. The public celebrations occurred at the end of the week. On June 28, 1974, the Gay Community Center at 1726 16th Avenue held a grand opening.
Today in history: Groundbreaking for the Space Needle is held in 1961
© Provided by KIRO Seattle File photo of the Space Needle at the 1962 World's Fair. Saturday marks 60 years since groundbreaking ceremonies at the Space Needle were held. The following is a recap of the event in a HistoryLink.org essay written by Greg Lange On April 17, 1961, groundbreaking ceremonies for the Space Needle are held.
Telephone exchange starts for 90 Seattle subscribers on March 7, 1883.
Telephone exchange starts for 90 Seattle subscribers on March 7, 1883. By Greg Lange Posted 2/10/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 875 On March 7, 1883, the Sunset Telephone Company starts operating with 90 Seattle subscribers. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) invented the telephone, which was demonstrated two years later in Seattle. The phone company, headed by E. W.
Washington Governor Martin closes banks on March 3, 1933.
Washington Governor Martin closes banks on March 3, 1933. By Greg Lange Posted 1/01/2000 HistoryLink.org Essay 2057 On March 3, 1933, Washington Governor Clarence Martin (1887-1955) closes all banks in Washington state for a "bank holiday" after the banking system collapses. The banks will remain closed, or open under great restrictions, until March 13, 1933.
Bootleggers convene in Seattle for a week beginning on March 1, 1922.
Bootleggers convene in Seattle for a week beginning on March 1, 1922. By Greg Lange Posted 2/25/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 940 From March 1 to March 7, 1922, a bootleggers' convention is held in Seattle. More than 100 “booze runners and wholesale dealers” meet for the first time since 1916 when Prohibition outlawing the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages went into effect in Washington state.
Cedar Falls hydroelectric plant begins lighting Seattle streets on January 10, 1905.
Cedar Falls hydroelectric plant begins lighting Seattle streets on January 10, 1905. By Greg Lange Posted 1/01/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 2284 On January 10, 1905, the Cedar Falls hydroelectric plant begins lighting Seattle street lamps for the first time. The plant had begun operation in October 1904. The City of Seattle owns the power plant, which is the first municipally owned plant in the United States.
Great Seattle Fire (1889)
Great Seattle Fire (1889) By Greg Lange Posted 1/16/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 715 On June 6, 1889, at 2:45 p.m., a man named John E. Back inadvertently started a fire in the basement of a downtown building at the southwest corner of Madison Street and Front Street (later renamed 1st Avenue). By prompting new development and construction, this fire, remembered as the Great Fire, ironically transformed Seattle from a town to a city.
Today in local history: Husky Stadium collapses in 1987
SEATTLE — Husky Stadium, known by many as "the greatest setting in college football", has been home to some of the best college football games in northwest history. In 1987 a section of the Stadium that was under construction collapsed and turned the addition to the bleachers into 250-tons of twisted steel.
Seattle Weekly Intelligencer announces on October 7, 1867, that the first wagon road has been completed over Snoqualmie Pass.
Seattle Weekly Intelligencer announces on October 7, 1867, that the first wagon road has been completed over Snoqualmie Pass. By Greg Lange Posted 11/04/1998 HistoryLink.org Essay 174 On October 7, 1867, the Seattle Weekly Intelligencer announces that the first wagon road has been completed over Snoqualmie Pass through the Cascade Mountains. The importance of this route was realized as early as 1855, but it was not until 1865 that a group of Seattle men located and surveyed a route for the road.
Today in history: Groundbreaking for the Space Needle is held in 1961
SEATTLE - Wednesday marks 58 years since groundbreaking ceremonies at the Space Needle were held. The following is a recap of the event in a HistoryLink.org essay written by Greg Lange On April 17, 1961, groundbreaking ceremonies for the Space Needle are held.
Today in History: Pike Place Market opens in 1907
The thousands of tourists and locals who visit Pike Place Market this weekend will be doing so on a very special anniversary. KIRO 7 looked into the history of Pike Place Market and found that 111 years ago Friday, the Market opened. The following is a recap of the event in a historylink essay written by Greg Lange On August 17, 1907, about eight farmers sell their produce from wagons and carts to large crowds at Pike Place, just west of 1st Avenue in downtown Seattle.
On this day: Chief Seattle dies in 1866
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Seattle Metropolitans hockey team wins the Stanley Cup on March 26, 1917.
Seattle Metropolitans hockey team wins the Stanley Cup on March 26, 1917. By Greg Lange Posted 3/14/2003 HistoryLink.org Essay 5414 On March 26, 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans win the Stanley Cup and become the world champions of hockey. In Seattle, at The Arena, the Mets, coached by Pete Muldoon, defeat defending champion Les Canadiens of Montreal three games to one. The Metropolitans earned the right to play Montreal by previously winning the Pacific Coast Hockey Association championship.
Today in History: Seattle Metropolitans hockey team wins the Stanley Cup in 1917
SEATTLE - Hockey fans around the Northwest continue to prepare for the possible arrival of a NHL team in Seattle. Earlier in March, Seattle reached its goal of getting 10,000 deposits for season tickets for a possible NHL team within 12 minutes. Since then, at least 25,000 deposits have been taken. Prospective team owners say they're trying to make a statement to the NHL Commission that Seattle should be awarded an expansion team.
Washington State Legislature passes the Un-American Activities bill on March 8, 1947.
Washington State Legislature passes the Un-American Activities bill on March 8, 1947. By Greg Lange Posted 7/10/1999 HistoryLink.org Essay 1484 On March 8, 1947, the Washington State Legislature passes House Concurrent Resolution No. 10, which creates a Joint Legislative Fact-finding Committee on Un-American Activities in the State of Washington.
U.S. President Millard Fillmore signs bill establishing Washington Territory on March 2, 1853.
On March 2, 1853, U.S. President Millard Fillmore signs a bill creating the Territory of Washington out of the Territory of Oregon. The new territory's boundaries are: north, 49 degree North Latitude; south, approximately due east from the mouth of the Columbia River; east, the Rocky Mountains; west, the Pacific Ocean. The eastern part of the territory would later become part of the states of Idaho and Montana.
Today in local history: Husky Stadium collapses in 1987
SEATTLE - Husky Stadium, known by many as "the greatest setting in college football", has been home to some of the best college football games in northwest history. In 1987 a section of the Stadium that was under construction collapsed and turned the addition to the bleachers into 250-tons of twisted steel.
Seattle Mayor Corliss P. Stone embezzles $15,000 and runs on February 23, 1873.
On February 23, 1873, Corliss P. Stone, Mayor of Seattle and partner of the firm Stone and Burnett, reportedly embezzles $15,000 ($547,500 in 1997 dollars) from his firm and leaves for San Francisco with a woman who is married to another man. Stone was a businessman and developer who subdivided and platted what are now the Wallingford and Fremont neighborhoods of Seattle. Stone Way and Corliss Avenue in Wallingford are named after him.
Earthquake of enormous magnitude hits the Pacific Northwest coast on January 26, 1700.
On January 26, 1700, at about 9:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time a gigantic earthquake occurs 60 to 70 miles off the Pacific Northwest coast. The quake violently shakes the ground for three to five minutes and is felt along the coastal interior of the Pacific Northwest including all counties in present-day Western Washington. A tsunami forms, reaching about 33 feet high along the Washington coast, travels across the Pacific Ocean and hits the east coast of Japan.
Today in Seattle History: Gamblers are thriving in Seattle in 1901
The following is a recap of the event in a HistoryLink.org essay by Greg Lange On the evening of January 20, 1901, a Seattle Star reporter visits the gambling houses of Seattle. They are running "full blast" from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight.
Seattle Symphony Orchestra performs first concert on December 29, 1903.
The concert was held in the afternoon in Christensen's Hall, the second-floor ballroom of the Arcade Building, on 2nd Avenue between Union and University streets (in 2005, the location of the Seattle Art Museum). The orchestra had rehearsed for three months. Its first number was the overture from Phedre by Massenet. According to the newspaper account, "The brilliant crescendos of this selection were brought out with much beauty.
The deadliest train crash in Washington state history
WELLINGTON, Wash. - An Amtrak train derailed Monday morning off an overpass at an estimated 80 mph and plunged onto Interstate 5 in DuPont, Washington, which is about 60 miles south of Seattle. At least three people are dead and over 100 people were sent to area hospitals.
Earthquake shakes Puget Sound area on December 7, 1880, followed by one on December 12.
On December 7 and 12, 1880, two earthquakes strike the Puget Sound region. Frightened residents rush out of buildings. They are felt in Portland, Oregon, in Port Townsend, in Seattle, at the coal mines at Newcastle, and in the Stuck and Puyallup valleys in south King County. Shortly before the December 12 earthquake, an apparent meteorite is sighted crashing into the Chuckanut Mountains just south of Bellingham. Over the next three months a number of aftershocks follow.
Lindbergh lands the Spirit of St. Louis in Seattle on September 13, 1927.
The Spirit of St. Louis was the Ryan high-wing monoplane with a single, radial, air-cooled engine in which Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris on May 20-21, 1927. It was a solo flight that lasted 33.5 hours and covered 3,600 miles. For completing it, Lindbergh won a $25,000 prize. Lindbergh’s stop in Seattle was one of 80 he made on a three-month tour of the United States to promote aviation and the building of airports.
Seattle's Pike Place Market opens on August 17, 1907.
Pike Place Market began in response to the dishonest behavior of many commission houses concentrated along Western Avenue between Yesler Way and Seneca Street. The commission houses acted as middlemen between most of the 3,000 King County farmers and their customers -- produce shops, grocery stores, and other consumers. Farmers claimed that commission buyers would offer a high price and then, when farmers delivered the produce the next day, pay a much lower price.
University of Washington sees Red and fires three faculty members on January 22, 1949.
In March 1947, the Washington State Legislature created the Joint Legislative Fact-finding Committee on Un-American Activities in the State of Washington. The committee was charged with investigating groups and individuals that were suspected of being Communists or members of other subversive groups. The University of Washington was one of the organizations investigated.
Ferry Kalakala starts daily service between Seattle and Bremerton on July 3, 1935.
Ferry Kalakala starts daily service between Seattle and Bremerton on July 3, 1935. By Greg Lange Posted 2/21/2003 HistoryLink.org Essay 5261 On July 3, 1935, the ferry Kalakala starts daily service between Seattle and Bremerton. She begins at 6:30 a.m., and makes six round trips daily. Fares are 45 cents for passengers and $1.10 for cars and drivers.
Seattle holds groundbreaking ceremony for the Space Needle on April 17, 1961.
The major investors in this private venture were Bagley Wright (1924-2011), Ned Skinner, Norton Clapp, John Graham, the architect, and Howard S. Wright Construction, the main contractor. They had just one year and four days to construct the Space Needle, to be completed for the opening of the Seattle Century 21 World's Fair. The Space Needle is located in Seattle Center at 203 6th Avenue N. The site was the former location of the City of Seattle fire station.
Billboard reading "Will the Last Person Leaving SEATTLE -- Turn Out the Lights" appears near Sea-Tac International Airport on April 16, 1971.
The recession came as The Boeing Company, the region's largest employer, went from a peak of 100,800 employees in 1967 to a low of 38,690 in April 1971. McDonald said their out-of-town clients "were amazed that Seattle wasn’t a ghost town with weeds growing in the streets. We wanted to counteract that attitude with a little humor" (Duncan). They chose a billboard site that they inevitably passed after picking up their clients at the airport. The men rented the billboard for $160.
Seattle Metropolitans hockey team wins the Stanley Cup on March 26, 1917.
On March 26, 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans win the Stanley Cup and become the world champions of hockey. In Seattle, at The Arena, the Mets, coached by Pete Muldoon, defeat defending champion Les Canadiens of Montreal three games to one. The Metropolitans earned the right to play Montreal by previously winning the Pacific Coast Hockey Association championship. This is the first time since Lord Stanley donated the cup in 1892 that any team outside of Canada has won the trophy.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Shortly after 10:30 a.m. on June 15, 2000, on Lake Washington, Enumclaw native Russ Wicks (b. 1966) drives the Miss Freei (U-25) hydroplane to a world speed record for a propeller driven boat. The 205.494 mph. run by the U-25 over a one mile straightaway course at the north end of Lake Washington near Sand Point breaks a record set in 1962. The 38-year-old record is the longest standing speed record ever in motorsports history on land or sea.
Mount St. Helens Erupts - May 18, 1980 - Nisqually Valley News: Life
On May 18, 1980 at 8:32 a.m., the earth rumbles underneath Mount St. Helens. kAm|@>6?ED =2E6C 2? 6IA=@D:@? 3=2DED 2H2J 2 D:56 @7 E96 >@F?E2:? :? 2 >2;@C G@=42?:4 6CFAE:@?] %96 G@=42?@ 42FD6D E96 562E9D @7 df A6@A=6] %96 56DECF4E:@? :D H:56DAC625[ 3FE 6DA64:2==J D6G6C6 :? $<2>2?:2 2?5 r@H=:EK 4@F?E:6D 2D 3@:=:?8 82D 2?5 >F5 D4@FC a__ DBF2C6 >:=6D @7 7@C6DE 2?5 b_ >:=6D @7 DE2E6 #@FE6 d_c] $@>6 `[___ >:=6D @7 DE2E6 9:89H2JD 2?5 C@25D 92G6 E@ 36 4=@D65[ D@>6 7@C >@?E9D[ 2?5 9:89H2J C6A2:CD 2=@?6 CF?
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
The opening of a post office is an important marker of the beginning of a community. On May 20, 1870, the Squak Post Office is established. William Pickering is the first postmaster.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
On March 26, 1917, the Seattle Metropolitans win the Stanley Cup and become the world champions of hockey. In Seattle, at The Arena, the Mets, coached by Pete Muldoon, defeat defending champion Montreal Les Canadiens Habitants three games to one. The Metropolitans earned the right to play Montreal by previously winning the Pacific Coast Hockey Association championship. This is the first time since Lord Stanley donated the cup in 1892 that any team outside of Canada has won the trophy.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Earthquake of enormous magnitude hits the Pacific Northwest coast on January 26, 1700. On January 26, 1700, at about 9:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time a gigantic earthquake occurs 60 to 70 miles off the Pacific Northwest coast. The quake violently shakes the ground for three to five minutes and is felt along the coastal interior of the Pacific Northwest including all counties in present-day Western Washington.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Washington is admitted as the 42nd state to the United States of America on November 11, 1889. On November 11, 1889, Washington becomes the 42nd state of the United States of America. On February 22, 1889, the United States Congress passed an act enabling the territories of Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana to seek statehood. This was the first enabling act passed by Congress since Colorado became the 38th state in 1876.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Seattle holds groundbreaking ceremony for the Space Needle on April 17, 1961. On April 17, 1961, ground breaking ceremonies for the Space Needle are held. It will be a 605-foot high structure in a tripod design topped by an observation deck and a revolving restaurant that will turn 360 degrees an hour. It will be the tallest structure in the city, 86 feet taller than the Smith Tower.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
During the early morning hours of March 1, 1910, an avalanche roars down Windy Mountain near Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains, taking with it two Great Northern trains and 96 victims. This is one of the worst train disasters in U.S. history and the worst natural disaster (with the greatest number of fatalities) in Washington.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
On February 25, 1987, at 10:07 a.m., a section of the Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus, which is under construction, collapses. It is a 215-foot addition to the bleachers, which becomes, in about 12 seconds, a 250-ton pile of twisted steel. In May 1986, Lydig Construction Company, a 22-year-old firm from Spokane, was awarded the contract to construct the $12.9 million, 13,700-seat addition to Husky Stadium. The steel contractor was Canron Construction Company from Toronto.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Weyerhaeuser makes one of the largest land purchases in United States history on January 3, 1900. On January 3,1900, railroad magnate James J. Hill (1838-1916) sells 900,000 acres (1,406 square miles) of Washington state timberlands to Frederick Weyerhaeuser (1834-1914) for $5,400,000.
HistoryLink.org- the Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History
Denny party lands at Alki Point near future Seattle on November 13, 1851. On November 13, 1851, the Denny Party lands at Alki Point, not far from the site of the future Seattle. The Denny Party had traveled over the Oregon Trail from Indiana to Portland, but found the Willamette Valley already too crowded for their taste. David Denny (1832-1903) and John Low (1820-1888) were sent to scout Puget Sound, and met Lee Terry (1818-1862) on the way.
Jim Whittaker becomes first American to reach Mount Everest summit on
On May 1, 1963, Jim Whittaker of Seattle becomes the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Whittaker works for Seattle-based Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), where he was the first full-time employee and will later serve as CEO. Jim Whittaker, expedition leader Norman Dyhrenfurth, and two Nepalese guides left Camp 6 at the 27,300 foot level at 6 a.m. They climbed into a howling wind with temperature of 35 degrees below zero.
Earthquake rattles Western Washington on April 29, 1965.
On the morning of April 29, 1965 at 8:29 a.m. Pacific Daylight Saving Time, an earthquake registering 6.5 magnitude occurs in Western Washington centered between Seattle and Tacoma. This is the fourth strongest documented earthquake in the Puget Sound region since 1850. Other strong earthquakes occurred in 1872 (estimated at 7.3 or 7.4 magnitude), 1949 (7.1), and 2001 (6.8).
Spokane-based Lumber Workers Industrial Union, IWW, formally begins w
On June 20, 1917, the Spokane-based Lumber Workers Industrial Union No. 500, IWW, formally begins what will become a massive loggers' strike. The radical union calls the strike in the midst of an epidemic of small, spontaneous strikes throughout the "short-log" region (the pine log region east of the Cascades). Within two weeks logging operations within this region will cease.
Pathos instead of celebration closes New Year
On December 31, 1915, Seattleites celebrate the last New Year's Eve before Prohibition takes effect. The mood is one of somber pathos. Washington state allows liquor sales until midnight, when Prohibition begins. Washington joins 18 other dry states that have outlawed the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors.
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