File:Yesler Way at Railroad Avenue map, Seattle, 1896 (MOHAI 13411).jpg

Seattle in the late nineteenth century was a rapidly growing city, aided in no small part by the 1883 connection to the rest of the country by the Northern Pacific Railway Company (NPRR). Additionally, the city's population doubled in 1890 from the previous year to 40,000, boosted by the influx of people who saw opportunity in rebuilding after Seattle's Great Fire. Expansion led to conflicts over the legal definitions of property and in what ways and by whom real estate could be utilized. NPRR was part of many lawsuits in Seattle during the period between 1895 and 1925, many of which were to establish rights-of-way and valuation of properties. The plat map pictured here, roughly of Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, was used as evidence in 1896-1897 litigation between NPRR and a member of the Denny family, probably over usage of tide lands. The map was created by Ernest B. Hussey from a survey he did of the area, as well as from two recorded plans, "D. S. Maynard's Town Plat" and "State Tide Land Commissioner's Plat." Original donation land claims granted by the U. S. government and plats are outlined in red ink, and wharves, streets, and buildings are drawn in black ink and identified by name.

Handwritten on verso: Mary A. Denny [illegible], Al. Alki @ [illegible] No. 1264 & Plestcheeff's, Lots 12 & 13 block No 198 Seattle tide lands. Filed 2-19-96, M. E. Reed, secty. S Stamped on verso: Appellant's Ex B, for [illegible]. 23429-23430, Equity Dept., Plaintiff's Exhibit B. Filed APR 6 1897. Geo M. Holloway, Clerk [initialed W. C.]. Caption information source: NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY. LAW DEPARTMENT: An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society, Manuscripts Collection, retrieved from http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/01021 Caption information source: Klingle, M. (2007). Emerald City: An environmental history of Seattle. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Land use--Washington (State)--Seattle; Waterfronts--Washington (State)--Seattle