Pioneer Square Segment
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Routes: S Washington Street, Occidental Avenue, S Jackson Street, 2nd Avenue Extension S
- Estimated Walking Time: 25 minutes
“Be it ordained by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Seattle, that no Indian or Indians shall be permitted to reside or locate their residences on any street, highway, lane, or alley or any vacant lot in the town of Seattle, from a point known as the south side of Chas. Plummer’s ten-acre lot to a point known as the south side of Bell’s land claim.”—Ordinance No. 5, February 7, 1865
“[The] number one [most pressing need for Native Americans in Seattle] is housing…. The other thing is just noticing Native people. One thing that really deeply concerns me is that this city does not feel like a Native city in the way that it should. We are a city that is named after a chief… We have this amazing history. It’s not just about Native people. When we see that Native people in culture or art are profiled, we just do better for everyone.”—Colleen Echohawk, Chief Seattle Club
The National Park Service Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park serves as the trail anchor for the Pioneer Square Segment. Greater Seattle has been home to Coast Salish people for thousands of years. In 1865, Seattle’s first city council banned Native Americans from living in the city. The six sites along this segment reflect stories of some of Seattle’s earliest communities, including the earlier Chinatown, a historic train station bringing communities of color as train passengers and railway workers, and a historic hotel reflective of the Japanese American community before World War II.
