Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Explore the early history of the Pike Place Market through letters, receipts, plans, rental agreements and other documents related to the market’s business.
Letter to Mr. Van Nostrand regarding his disputes with another merchant, December 7, 1928
Letter informing Mr. Van Nostrand that Mr. White, a butter and egg merchant with a stall near him, has made numberous complaints about Mr. Van Nostrand's antagonistic behavior which includes stacking his materials so that shoppers cannot see Mr. White's stall. The letter states 'He also claims you do other petty things to arouse his anger (or in other words trying to get his goat) that are too numerous to mention' and encourages Mr. Van Nostrand to act more considerately.
Identifier: spl_sh_00060
Date: 1928-12-07
View this itemLetter from A.H. Albertson regarding funds donated to prevent African Americans from buying property, November 7, 1927
Letter regarding funds collected from property owners near 34th Avenue to prevent the property at 507 34th Avenue from being bought by African Americans. The recipient of the letter is unknown.
Identifier: spl_sh_00068
Date: 1927-11-07
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to Walter Soames regarding a dispute over the placement of Pike Place Market stalls, November 11, 1927
Arthur Goodwin letter to Walter Soames, President of the Associated Farmers regarding a dispute with the Pike Place Public Markets, Inc. over the placement of farmers' stalls in Pike Place Market. Goodwin offers several compromises to avoid having to move farmers off the sidewalk area such as creating display signs for vegetables not grown locally and installing glass partitions for private stalls in the 'GG' section.
Identifier: spl_sh_00129
Date: 1927-11-11
View this itemPike Place Market vendors selling canned goods and produce, ca. 1925
Vendors at Pike Place Market offering canned good such as plums and pickles for sale along with apples, pears, honey, grape juice, sweet cider and cider vinegar.
Identifier: spl_sh_00002
Date: 1925?
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to George C. Mason regarding Portland public market plans, October 28, 1927
Letter from Arthur Goodwin to George C. Mason responding to his request for input on proposed building plans for the Portland public market.
Identifier: spl_sh_00111
Date: 1927-10-28
View this itemJohn Clifford contract for employment with Pike Place Public Markets, Inc., January 1927
The contract presents the terms of John Clifford's employment as the Assistant Manager for Pike Place Public Markets, Inc. The contract stipulates that Clifford will work for the company for a period of ten years with a salary of $275 per month with additional stock benefits.
Identifier: spl_sh_00030
Date: 1927-01
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to John J. Rowan describing the opening of the Tacoma Crystal Palace Public Market, June 24, 1927
Letter from Arthur Goodwin to John J. Rowan thanking him for his congratualtions on the opening of the Tacoma Crystal Palace Public Market. Goodwin describes market's success and the high traffic on opening day. He writes 'I actually believe there were more people circulating through the market on the opening day than we have in the Pike Place Public Markets on a Saturday. The business that was transacted by some of the merchants was astounding. All of the butcher shops sold out entirely three times during the day; one farmer took in over $500.00 from the sale of farm produce; one fruit man sold $90.00 worth of bananas in one hour; Piggly Wiggly had the largest attendance at the opening of the market than at any of their stores in the northwest; and so it went down the line.'
Identifier: spl_sh_00120
Date: 1927-06-24
View this itemFlower vendors at Pike Place Market
Two women standing before their flower stall at Pike Place Market. Baskets hang in the background.
Identifier: spl_sh_00007
View this itemList of Japanese farmers at Pike Place Market
List of Japanese farmers and the produce they are allowed to sell at the market.
Identifier: spl_sh_00053
View this itemLetter from John J. Rowan to Arthur Goodwin regarding the New York Central market, November 21, 1927
Letter from John J. Rowan to Arthur Goodwin regarding the New York Central market, asking if he will be taking a role in the planning process.
Identifier: spl_sh_00122
Date: 1927-11-21
View this item