The Pioneer Square Pergola
by Michelle M.
Our city is full of unique places that play a significant role in shaping our communities and our individual and collective identities. As Seattle continues to grow and change, we asked the community to share some of the local places that hold compelling stories for them as part of our Stories in Place series. This love letter to the Pioneer Square Pergola was submitted by community member, Michelle M. who recalls being captivated by the pergola’s design and feeling connected to Seattle’s history while sitting beneath the structure.
Graphics created by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Senior Public Relations Specialist, Susie Philipsen
Read more about the history of the Pioneer Square Pergola on Seattle Now & Then.
Graphic description: Three images with black handwritten text on the left and a pink partial circle on the right behind an illustration of structure with four posts supporting an ornate arched roof and two people sitting on a bench beneath it.
Alt text: The following write-up is divided between three images, “The design always mesmerized me. The early settlers posed beneath in voluminous dresses and styles of bygone days. When it was damaged and replaced in the 80s and 90s, I was sure it would not be the same. I collected artwork of the original as a shrine. I worked in the Pioneer Building briefly and I loved walking in its shadow daily. When dating my spouse, we’d often walk and kiss beneath it, and I would ponder how many others had done so in the past. The Chief Settle statue and totem pole so close is a testament to Seattle’s rich and varied history. -Michelle M.”
A fourth image contains light blue lines like writing paper with black handwriting that reads: “Pioneer Square Pergola (formally Pioneer Place) opened in 1909 as a decorative stairwell entrance to a now closed underground lavatory frequently described as the “Queen Mary of Johns” due to its elegant design. The perfola also served as a shelter for the former cable car stop. Over the years, it has been rebuilt and restored due to damage. The pergola and lavatory are part of a National Landmark.”
