<p>In the 1880s, Seattle's business district was near Pioneer Square. Loggers, miners, and others came to this part of the city to find work, supplies, and entertainment. Others came to Seattle to attend the Territorial University, which stood on a hill above the city.
This photo, taken around 1884, shows the intersection of Commercial Street (now First Avenue South) and Main Street looking north towards Mill Street (now Yesler Way). The University of the Territory of Washington is in the center distance.</p>
<p>Original copy negative.

Original photograph: ca. 1884. Copied after 1902 by Webster &amp; Stevens</p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Business districts</li></ul><hr>
Taken 1883, according to MOHAI's annotation of <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle%27s_downtown_before_the_Great_Fire,_Seattle,_1883_(MOHAI_3542).jpg" title="File:Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883 (MOHAI 3542).jpg">File:Seattle's downtown before the Great Fire, Seattle, 1883 (MOHAI 3542).jpg</a>
Peterson &amp; Brothers
1883<div style="display: none;">date QS:P571,+1883-00-00T00:00:00Z/9</div>
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/search">Museum of History and Industry</a>