January 13, 2022

Morning, Seattle 👋 Alina here. As some of you may know by now, I only moved to Seattle a few months ago, so there’s still quite a bit I’m learning about the city.

Even so, I don’t know that I’ve lived in too many other places where historical districts and sites were talked about so frequently, whether it was the recent concern over the Guild 45th Theater or the many detailed posts at Vanishing Seattle. It’s fascinating to hear about and, for those of you who’ve been around awhile, a great way to rediscover the city.

Pioneer Square is home to Seattle’s original downtown. | Photo by @adam_noble86

So, over the next few months, I’d like to take the time to explore Seattle’s eight historical districts together. I’ll give you some interesting nuggets of history and tell you what fun you can find there, but for now, let’s just meet the cast.

🏛️ Ballard Avenue Landmark District

First linked to Seattle by rail in 1890, named “Ballard” the same year
Given its historical status in 1976 when King Carl XVI of Sweden gave a special proclamation during his visit
A reason to visit now: The Splintered Wand
Fun fact: 3-ft tall brick tunnels still exist under the streets here that were once used for streetcar counterweights.

🏛️ Pioneer Square Preservation District

First built in 1852, Pioneer Square is Seattle’s original downtown
Established as a historical district and a local preservation district in 1970
A reason to visit now: Damn the Weather
Fun fact: In the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, an estimated 1 million rats died in Pioneer Square — but fortunately, no people.

MORE HISTORIC TRIVIA BITS HERE

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EVENTS

Today

Just a Phase: a QT/POC Comedy Show | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 9 p.m. | Olmstead | $15+ | This comedy show highlights local LGBTQ+ and BIPOC performers.
”Parkway of Broken Dreams” Screening | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | SIFF Film Center | $9+ | This documentary details Las Vegas’ bright and fleeting music, art, and poetry scene in the 1990s — a Q+A with the director will follow the screening. 📽️

Friday

Belltown Art Walk | Fri., Jan. 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Belltown, 2021 First Ave. | Free | Get a look at Belltown’s newest gallery exhibits and meet the artists behind the works. 🎨

Saturday

Miles for Black Coffee Northwest | Sat., Jan. 15 | 10:15 a.m. | Shorewood High School Track | Free | The groups Black Girls Run, Black Men Run, and Club Seattle Runner’s Division are asking participants to donate $1-5 for each lap around the track completed to support Black Coffee Northwest.
Josie on the Rocks, Moroccan Dog | Sat., Jan. 15 | 5:30 p.m. | Madame Lou’s at The Crocodile | $15 | Here’s some local, alternative rock to get your blood pumping for the weekend.
Beer + Yoga | Sat., Jan. 15 | 12 p.m. | Hale’s Ales Brewery | $22+ | We’re pretty sure midday yoga followed by a couple beers can be defined as the height of luxury. 🍻

Sunday

mewithoutYou, Unwed Sailor | Sun., Jan. 16 | 8 p.m. | Neumos | $27.50+ | These veteran rockers head to Seattle on their latest tour.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

50+ MORE JANUARY EVENTS

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Seattle. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

53º | Morning showers, cloudy afternoon | 87% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:54 a.m.
Set: 4:42 p.m.

Sports

Five UW men’s soccer players were selected in the first two rounds of Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft this week — the most in UW history. The Huskies’ new teams include the Seattle Sounders (nice), Inter Miami, and Chicago Fire. (The UW Daily)

Civic

Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he will issue an executive order to extend Seattle’s eviction moratorium for another 30 days — meaning residential, nonprofit, and small business tenants cannot be evicted from their spaces for failure to pay rent until Mon., Feb. 14. (Seattle Times)

Eat

Those patios are just too good to give up. Councilmember Dan Strauss has introduced legislation that would extend the city’s free cafe street and outdoor dining permits through January 31, 2023. A vote may head to City Council as early as Tue., Feb. 8.

Festival

Your favorite arts + music festival may look a little different soon. Bumbershoot has a brand new production partner in Rising Sun, a coalition of local entertainment and cultural leaders. The group includes representatives from Neumos + Life on Mars, Museum of Museums, and Vito’s, who intend on creating a year-round event brand. (Capitol Hill Blog)

Legacy

Jeanne Towne, a well-loved Pike Place Market busker, died at 72. The 12-string guitar and autoharp playing icon, often found outside Michou Deli, graced Seattle streets for more than 40 years with her soft-spoken music. (Seattle Times)

Traffic

Don’t leave your best friend at home. King County Water Taxi has a new pet policy that allows leashed dogs and cats in carriers on board its vessels. Other pets may be allowed down the line, but Metro says “not quite yet” to that. 🐶 (West Seattle Blog)

Open

Time to take a deep breath. A new 8,000 sqft day spa, Yuan Spa, has just opened in Kirkland. The company’s second location is equipped with eleven treatment rooms and a full hydrotherapy experience with two soaking pools, a Pink Himalayan Sea Salt dry sauna + a eucalyptus steam room.

Job

Love brand storytelling? Want to create paid content that’s actually worth reading? 6AM City is now hiring a West Coast-based Branded Content Editor. This remote role will generate creative campaign strategies and write content for clients across all soon-to-be 24 markets. See details + apply.

#SEATODAY

Best laid plans…

📸 @brittanyirene08

Extra vacation seems like it would be a good thing, but maybe not when it’s caused by 36 inches of snow.

A Washington couple is going viral on TikTok with 1.1 million views for their story behind getting caught in Leavenworth during last week’s record-breaking snowstorm. While the entire city closed for the storm, Brittany Clark-Hargraves and Cory Hargraves said they still managed to have a good time thanks to the locals.

While the two were able to get home, Leavenworth is still being dug out of the snow with help from the National Guard.

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THE WRAP

Alina here (still): The most fascinating piece of Seattle history I’ve come across so far is honestly the Great Seattle Fire. That story feels exactly like an especially chaotic episode of “Parks & Rec.” I mean, the exploding bar and liquor stores were enough, but everything involving the fire department is just…🤦. Read about it here.

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