Nestled along Seattle’s vibrant waterfront, the Pike Place Market stands as a testament to history, community, and enduring commerce. This iconic landmark, much more than a bustling marketplace, also holds a reputation as one of Seattle’s most actively haunted locations, drawing visitors seeking both fresh produce and spectral encounters. From its humble beginnings rooted in a farmers’ protest to its current status as a premier tourist destination, Pike Place Market offers a captivating blend of historical intrigue and unexplained phenomena.
A Century of Commerce: The Enduring History of Pike Place Market
The story of Pike Place Market began in the summer of 1907, born from public outcry against price-fixing by middlemen. Seattle residents were growing frustrated with inflated food prices, prompting the City Council to take decisive action. On August 17, 1907, the first public market opened along Pike Place, a newly constructed four-block boardwalk. The response was immediate and overwhelming: eager shoppers descended upon the initial dozen farmers, clearing their stalls within minutes, signaling the profound need for a direct farmer-to-consumer exchange.
The burgeoning success quickly attracted investment. Frank Goodwin, a man who had amassed his fortune during the Klondike Gold Rush, recognized the market’s potential and constructed the first permanent marketplace building, known as Goodwin’s Arcade. It officially opened its doors on November 30, 1907, providing much-needed shelter and structure for vendors. The market’s infrastructure continued to expand rapidly; the Outlook Hotel and the Triangle Market followed in the subsequent year. By 1911, the city extended the market’s shelter and appointed its first ‘Market Master’ to manage the daily lottery for stall assignments amidst fierce competition among farmers and vendors. This period saw the construction of several multi-level buildings that form the permanent arcades visitors experience today.
Remarkably, the Great Depression, a period of widespread economic hardship, saw the Pike Place Market not only survive but thrive. It served as a vital hub for affordable food, offering the cheapest produce in town, which led to its expansion during these challenging years. Following the depression, the surrounding area flourished with new hotels, restaurants, and theaters, solidifying Seattle’s claim that Pike Place was “The Finest Public Market In The World.” Its prosperity continued through World War II, and in 1941, Italian farmer Joe Desimone acquired the main arcades, further cementing his family’s legacy within the market.
However, the post-war era brought new challenges. The rise of personal motor vehicles and the proliferation of supermarkets in suburban areas during the 1940s and 1950s led to a gradual decline in the market’s prominence. Despite this downturn, a dedicated community of artists and craftspeople helped sustain the market’s unique character. By the 1960s, the aging and somewhat dilapidated market buildings faced a serious threat: demolition. Fortunately, a determined Seattle architect spearheaded the “Save the Market” campaign, rallying public support to preserve this historical gem. On November 2, 1971, Seattle voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of a 17-acre historic district, leading to the establishment of the Public Development Authority responsible for the market’s rehabilitation and ongoing management.
Today, the revitalized Pike Place Market is a cornerstone of Seattle’s cultural and economic life, drawing millions of visitors annually. It remains a vibrant marketplace offering an astonishing array of fresh foods, from colorful produce and seafood to artisanal crafts, flowers, and souvenirs. With over 600 vendors daily, it’s often considered the very “soul” of Seattle, a place where history, community, and commerce converge.
Whispers from the Past: The Haunted Side of Pike Place Market
Beyond its bustling aisles and vibrant atmosphere, Pike Place Market is legendary for its ghostly inhabitants. Many believe that the market’s rich history has left an indelible spiritual imprint, making it a hotspot for paranormal activity and earning it a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the Pacific Northwest.
Princess Angeline: Seattle’s Enduring Spirit
Among the market’s most famous spectral residents is Princess Angeline, whose Duwamish name was Kikisoblu. She was the eldest daughter of Chief Seattle, a revered leader. Despite the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott mandating all Duwamish people relocate to reservations, Princess Angeline steadfastly refused to leave her ancestral lands and remained in Seattle. She lived in a small waterfront cabin near what would become the market, making a living by taking in laundry and selling her beautifully hand-woven baskets on the city streets.
A familiar and beloved figure, Princess Angeline was often seen with a red handkerchief, a shawl, and a cane, slowly making her way along the waterfront. She served as a poignant link between the region’s indigenous heritage and the burgeoning settler community. The renowned photographer Edward Curtis was fascinated by her, capturing many iconic images. Princess Angeline passed away at 85 on May 31, 1896, and was given a significant funeral, with her casket crafted in the shape of a canoe. She was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery, but her spirit, it seems, preferred to stay closer to her cherished home.
Decades after her death, sightings of Princess Angeline have been consistently reported at Pike Place Market, which now stands on the very ground where her cabin once sat. Witnesses often describe seeing her moving slowly, almost as if gliding, and some have reported her figure changing colors from a glowing white to lavender, blue, or pink. She is sometimes observed with a young Indigenous boy. Many people initially mistake her for a living person until she mysteriously vanishes before their eyes. She is most frequently sighted near a rough wooden column on the market’s lower level, an area often reported to feel unnaturally cold, with photographs sometimes showing anomalies. Despite attempts by a Native American Shaman to perform exorcisms, Princess Angeline’s benevolent but persistent spirit continues to roam the market, a timeless guardian of its history.
Other Spectral Residents of the Market
Princess Angeline is far from the only spirit said to linger within the market’s historic walls. Another notable spectral presence is Arthur Goodwin, nephew of the market’s original developer, Frank Goodwin. Arthur played a crucial role in the market’s early growth, serving as Market Director from 1918 to 1941. He was known for observing market activities from his upper-level office. Today, this space, now known as the Goodwin Library, is a meeting room where Arthur’s silhouette is often seen looking down. He has also been reportedly seen swinging a golf club in his former office, a ghostly echo of his past life.
Legend also speaks of the “Fat Lady Barber,” a spectral figure said to haunt the market at night. This barber, who operated in the 1950s, would sing soft lullabies to her customers, lulling them to sleep before subtly relieving them of their cash. Tragedy struck before the market’s 1970s renovations when a section of the floor gave way, and she fell to her death. Today, maintenance workers often report hearing faint lullabies echoing through the market’s quiet halls after hours.
Numerous individual shops within the market also boast their own resident ghosts. At the Bead Emporium, the spirit of a small boy is said to reside. During renovations years ago, a basket of beads was found hidden in a wall, untouched for decades, suggesting the boy may have been hoarding them to play with. Staff have reported cash registers opening and closing on their own, and the playful spirit has even been known to visit the marionettes in the nearby puppet shop.
Sheila’s Magic Shop is home to Madame Nora, a spirit believed to inhabit a crystal ball. This restless entity previously haunted Pharaoh’s Treasure shop. The crystal ball was reportedly traded to Pharaoh’s Treasure by an old woman who warned of Madame Nora’s presence. Unexplained occurrences, particularly objects moving at night, quickly became common. Madame Nora was a well-known figure in the market’s early days, running the “Temple of Destiny” and practicing crystal gazing, Egyptian sand divining, and Indian psychic projection. Weary of the paranormal activity, the crystal ball was eventually passed to Sheila’s Magic Shop, where Madame Nora’s ghostly influence continues.
At Mr. D’s, a Greek deli in the Triangle Building, the owner shares tales of dueling spirits within the downstairs walk-in freezer, an area so unsettling that some staff refuse to enter. Similarly, at the former Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore, owners consistently found the same book knocked off a shelf and onto the floor each morning, a persistent haunting that only ceased when the book was eventually destroyed. These isolated incidents contribute to the market’s overall mystique and reputation as a hub of the unexplained.
Pike Place Market: A Timeless Seattle Icon
Whether you are drawn by the vibrant spectacle of fresh produce and artisanal crafts, intrigued by the rich tapestry of Seattle’s history, or captivated by the eerie allure of its legendary ghosts, Pike Place Market is an essential destination. It is a place where every visit offers a new discovery, a deeper connection to the city’s past, and perhaps, a fleeting encounter with a spirit from another time. This iconic market truly embodies the diverse and dynamic spirit of Seattle, making it a mandatory stop for anyone exploring the Emerald City.
