On a chilly morning of January 15, 2001, a piece of Seattle’s history was unexpectedly disrupted when the iconic iron and glass pergola in Pioneer Square was struck by a truck at approximately 5:45 a.m., leading to its collapse. This pergola, along with the neighboring Tlingit totem pole (undamaged in the incident), are not just local fixtures but national historic landmarks, standing proudly at the intersection of 1st Avenue and Yesler Way. Designed by Seattle architect Julian Everett and erected in 1909, the pergola originally served as a stylish waiting area for the Yesler and James Street Cable Car Company.
Describing its grandeur shortly after its construction, the Pacific Builder and Engineer in 1910 detailed the pergola as: “a combination of cast-iron posts with ornamental bent iron brackets, cornice and ridge line… A total of 65,000 pounds of iron work is used on the job. The supporting columns, of Corinthian design, each weigh about 500 pounds. The ventilating columns, of which there are four, each weigh 2,000 pounds; these columns also carry fixtures for four lights each. The entire roof of the canopy is covered with wire glass…”. These ‘ventilating columns’ were not merely decorative; they served a functional purpose, providing ventilation for the elaborate public restrooms situated beneath the pergola.
Julian Everett, the architect behind this elaborate structure, was a graduate of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Arriving in Seattle in 1904, Everett left a significant architectural footprint in the Pacific Northwest until 1922. His portfolio includes notable buildings such as the Pilgrim Congregational Church (1905-1906) and Temple de Hirsch (also 1905-06), showcasing his influence on Seattle’s early 20th-century urban landscape.
A History of Restoration and Preservation
The Pioneer Square Pergola’s story is also one of dedicated preservation. By the early 1970s, Pioneer Place Park, encompassing the pergola, underwent a significant restoration in 1972-1973. This project was a joint effort between the City of Seattle and the Casey family, bolstered by a generous $150,000 donation. The Casey family’s connection to the area runs deep, with James Casey being a co-founder of United Parcel Service, a company established in Pioneer Square in 1907.
Jones & Jones, the restoration firm, meticulously referenced original cast-iron benches and lampposts to ensure historical accuracy. The rejuvenated park proudly features the totem pole and a bronze bust of Chief Seattle, sculpted by renowned Northwest artist James Wehn, adding layers of cultural and artistic significance to the location.
The “Queen Mary of the Johns” and Landmark Status
Beneath the pergola lies another fascinating piece of history – the underground public restroom, often humorously dubbed the “Queen Mary of the Johns.” Constructed in 1909 alongside the pergola, this comfort station was famed for its opulent design, featuring white-tiled walls, terrazzo flooring, brass fixtures, and marble stalls. Upon its opening in September 1909, these restrooms were heavily utilized, with toilets flushed an astounding average of 8,000 times daily, and peaking at 15,000 on Sundays. It housed 16 stalls for men and nine for women, serving the bustling public life of early Seattle. Though closed after World War II and now sealed, its legacy as an unusually grand public amenity remains part of the pergola’s story.
In 1977, recognizing its historical and architectural importance, the pergola, the totem pole, and the adjacent Pioneer Building were collectively designated as national landmarks, cementing their place in American history.
The unfortunate incident in 2001, where a truck from U.S. Xpress Enterprises accidentally brought down the pergola, led to another restoration phase. U.S. Xpress Enterprises took responsibility, funding the majority of the reconstruction. The Pioneer Square pergola was lovingly restored to its former glory and reopened to the public on August 17, 2002, proving its resilience and enduring significance to Seattle and its visitors. Today, the Pioneer Square pergola stands as a testament to Seattle’s history, architectural heritage, and the community’s commitment to preserving its landmarks for future generations.
