<p>The totem pole at Pioneer Square has been a Seattle landmark since 1899. In that year, a group of Seattle businessmen visited the Tlingit village of Tongass, in Alaska. They thought the village was deserted and removed the 50-foot tall pole as a souvenir. The village residents were away at work, however, and the businessmen were later fined for the theft of the pole.</p>
<p>Sign in image: Clean Up! Visitors Coming - We'll Help You - Acme Window Cleaning Co.

Handwritten on sleeve: Totem Pole Washing.

Caption by MOHAI staff.</p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Totem poles--Washington (State)--Seattle; Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Commercial streets--Washington (State)--Seattle; Pergolas--Washington (State)--Seattle; Street railroads--Washington (State)--Seattle</li></ul>
<div class="fn value">
Webster &amp; Stevens</div>
circa 1923 <div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1923-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/search">Museum of History and Industry</a>