Pike Place Market is a public market in Seattle, Washington, United States. It opened on August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States. Overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront on Puget Sound, it serves as a place of business for many small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. It is named for its central street, Pike Place, which runs northwest from Pike Street to Virginia Street on the western edge of Downtown Seattle. Pike Place Market is Seattle's most popular tourist destination and the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the world, with more than 10 million annual visitors.The Market is built on the edge of a steep hill and consists of several lower levels located below the main level. Each features a variety of unique shops such as antique dealers, comic book and collectible shops, small family-owned restaurants, and one of the oldest head shops in Seattle. The upper street level contains fishmongers, fresh produce stands and craft stalls operating in the covered arcades. Local farmers and craftspeople sell year-round in the arcades from tables they rent from the Market on a daily basis, in accordance with the Market's mission and founding goal: allowing consumers to "Meet the Producer".
Pike Place Market is home to nearly 500 residents who live in eight different buildings throughout the Market. Most of these buildings have been low-income housing in the past; however, some of them no longer are, such as the Livingston Baker apartments. The Market is run by the quasi-government Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA).
1907Aug, 17
Pike Place Market, a popular tourist destination and registered historic district in Seattle, opened.
Choose Another Date
Events on 1907
- 23May
Parliament of Finland
The unicameral Parliament of Finland gathers for its first plenary session. - 22Jun
Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway
The London Underground's Charing Cross, Euston and Hampstead Railway opens. - 7Sep
RMS Lusitania
Cunard Line's RMS Lusitania sets sail on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York City. - 16Nov
RMS Mauretania (1906)
Cunard Line's RMS Mauretania, sister ship of RMS Lusitania, sets sail on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York City. - 31Dec
Times Square
The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square (then known as Longacre Square) in Manhattan.