A typical W-2 Federal Tax Return - Circa Late 1800s might read:
Occupation: Seamstress
Oddly, none of these "Seamstresses" owned a sewing machine. Even more odd is that their income was ten times higher than an average male pioneer at the time. These "Seamstreses" are Seattle's prostitutes and they were the first of their kind to file such tax returns. This was pioneered by Seattle's Madame, Lou Graham. Before she died of Syphilis in 1903, she was a wealthy landowner and large contributor to city projects and education for children. That was one interesting aspect of Seattle's history. What many also don't realize is that Seattle is built 15 to 30 feet above original ground level. A great fire in the late 1800s destroyed much of the city. Since Seattle was prone to flooding, they decided to rebuild over the old city. Thus, there are 33 miles of tunnels and catacombs running throughout the city. A small section has been preserved for tours, where you can see the original ground level of original buildings, saloon entrances, etc. Fast forward to current day Seattle, this city is akin to San Francisco; history goes as deep as the rain, diverse, trendy, artsy, and gritty in parts. I'm not sure who's winning the race on how many Starbucks per capita are pinned on the map.
Chastity belt from 1800's
Pioneer Square is where it all began.
Seattle underground looking up to the street level. These thick glass grates on the sidewalks look like the bottom of coke bottles. But from below, it provides lights in the underground tunnels that traverses throughout the city.
An old rotted out wooden water pipe.
Exhibit inside the greenhouse of the Chihuly Glass Museum with the Needle looming over in the background.
Exhibits at the Chihuly Glass Museum gives me the chills just thinking how expertly art like this must be handled during transport and set up.
Such a tremendously beautiful display of art. This installation is encased in a glass window up at the ceiling.
A 30-foot tower of guitars displayed at the EMP (Experience Music Project) Museum, founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. UPDATE: In 2016 the name changed to the Museum of Pop Culture.
Game of Thrones at the EMP Museum, later changed to the Museum of Pop Culture
A colorful dragon welcomes you to Seattle's Chinatown.
The Gum Wall below Pike Place
Pike Place - a huge percentage of seafood in the US comes through Seattle.
Have you ever had Monkfish? Very tender and flaky meat. (no, I didn't eat this one...)
View of Mount Ranier from the Metro platform