The 1980s were the decade of decadence — we saw the invention of the internet, the rise of hip-hop music, and lots of big hairstyles.
Seattle was no exception to this culture. Let’s jump back in time.
Population: ~493,800
Mayor: Charles Royer (1978-1990)
1980 — Mount St. Helens erupted this year on May 18, causing the deaths of 57 people and other physical + economic effects statewide.
1981 — While it’s still a hotly contested piece of history, the crowds at Husky Stadium allegedly made “the Wave” for the first time in history on October 31.
1982 — Seattle becomes “the Emerald City” this year thanks to a new marketing campaign from the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The name was chosen from a submission contest won by San Juan Island resident Sarah Sterling-Franklin.
1983 — The world’s first-ever Costco opens on Fourth Avenue South, across the street from its current SODO location.
1984 — Seattle’s hip hop scene emerges from the underground with its first mainstream event at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall on August 17.
1985 — The Columbia Center, the tallest building in the PNW, opens on March 2 with 1.5 million sqft of office space.
1986 — King County’s namesake is changed from US Vice President + enslaver William Rufus de Vane King to Martin Luther King Jr. However, it would not be made official by the state until 2005.
1987 — Metro Transit begins excavating the tunnel under downtown Seattle that will later be used for the Link Light Rail.
1988 — Nirvana plays their fateful show for Sub Pop Records at Central Tavern on June 5, making way for the band to release their first single later this year.
1989 — Canoes from 17 Indigenous tribes across Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska arrive at Golden Gardens Park as a part of the first-ever Paddle to Seattle event.
