Happy Birthday to the Market!
Seattle’s landmark Pike Place Market opened with about eight farmers selling produce from their wagons and carts on August 17, 1907. The farmers would sell out and the Market was born.
According to historylink.org, the Pike Place Market started in response to the dishonest actions of many commission houses in downtown Seattle, who would sell the farmer’s products at a massive markup, and pay the farmers a much lower price.
Plus, the houses would only sell the farmer’s produce on commission, meaning they only paid for what they sold. But farmers accused the houses of claiming they didn’t sell the product and saying it spoiled, when in reality the houses sold the product and pocketed everything.
Like Many U.S. Cities, Seattle Struggles With Crime And Homelessness During Pandemic Era SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 11: A ferry and a tanker pass through the Puget Sound near Seattle's iconic Pike Place Market on March 11, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The market remains a top tourist draw, despite the city's recent struggles with an uptick in homelessness and violent crime. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: A crow sits on a snowy sign at Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Protests Break Out Across U.S. After Police Shooting Death Of Daunte Wright SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 12: A police vehicle equipped with a long range acoustic device (LRAD) follows behind a group of demonstrators near Pike Place Market as they protest the death of Daunte Wright on April 12, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Police say the device serves as a non-lethal means of dispersing crowds and can be used to communicate with protesters, but critics say it can be used as a weapon. Wright, a Black man whose car was stopped in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on Sunday reportedly for an expired registration, and not far from where George Floyd was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis last May, was shot and killed by an officer who police say mistook her service revolver for a Taser. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Seattle Area Hit With Snow Storm SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 18: A passerby gives Joe Farhat, an employee at a produce stand in Pike Place Market, a push down a closed road January 18, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. Seattle and Western Washington State have been hit with a snow storm that has dropped several inches of snow. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) (Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
Seattle Becomes First City To Reach Key 70 Percent Vaccination Rate SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 10: People walk through Pike Place Market as Seattle has become the first major city to reach a 70 percent COVID-19 vaccination rate on June 10, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. As the state is approaching a full economic reopening at the end of June, Seattle has fully vaccinated 70 percent of its approximate 750,000 residents above age 12, making it the most inoculated major city in the United States surpassing San Francisco. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Harrison Walsh skis by Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Massive Smoke Cloud Descends On Seattle Amid Historic Fires SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 11: Wildfire smoke obscures the view of Elliott Bay as a person bikes past a Pike Place Market sign on September 11, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. According to reports, air quality is expected to worsen as smoke from dozens of wildfires in forests of the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast descends onto the region. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) (Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: (Top Photo, Master ID: 1211670434) A couple embraces near Rachel the Piggybank at Pike Place Market on March 10, 2020 in downtown Seattle, Washington. The historic market is Seattle's most popular tourist attraction. Business has been especially hard hit by coronavirus fears. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 09: (Bottom Photo, Master ID: 1384233304) People walk through the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 09, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Two years earlier on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Visitors walk near Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 09: People walk past the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 09, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Two years earlier on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: (Top Photo, Master ID: 1211670384) The Pike Place Market sits virtually empty of patrons on March 10, 2020 in downtown Seattle, Washington. The historic market is Seattle's most popular tourist attraction and business has been especially hard hit by coronavirus fears. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: (Bottom Photo, Master ID: 1384233431) People walk through the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 10, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Two years later, Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Consumers Shop For Meat Products In Seattle SEATTLE - DECEMBER 24: Consumers shop at Don and Joe's Meats in Pike Place Market December 24, 2003 in Seattle, Washington. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced late Tuesday that a cow slaughtered December 9, 2003 from a farm near Yakima, Washington, had tested positive for mad cow disease. (Photo by Tim Matsui/Getty Images) (Tim Matsui/Getty Images)
Protesters Call On Starbucks To Divest From Seattle Police Foundation SEATTLE, WA - JULY 16: Protesters march through Pike Place Market calling for Starbucks to divest from the Seattle Police Foundation on July 16, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The march began at the original Starbucks location in Pike Place Market, stopping at several locations in the city before finishing at the upscale Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Harrison Walsh skis by Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 09: People walk through the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 09, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Two years earlier on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Massive Smoke Cloud Descends On Seattle Amid Historic Fires SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 12: People wear masks as they walk towards Pike Place Market as smoke from wildfires fills the air on September 12, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. According to the National Weather Service, the air quality in Seattle remained at "unhealthy" levels Saturday after a large smoke cloud from wildfires on the West Coast settled over the area. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) (Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
KPMG Women's PGA Championship - Preview Day 1 SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 06: LPGA players Brittany Lincicome and Kris Tamulis make a visit to the Pike Place Market prior to the start of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at the Sahalee Country Club on June 6, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for KPMG) (Scott Halleran)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Visitors walk near Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Like Many U.S. Cities, Seattle Struggles With Crime And Homelessness During Pandemic Era SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 09: People walk past the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 09, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The city has recently struggled with an uptick in homelessness and violent crime. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Harrison Walsh skis by Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: Visitors flock to a popular restaurant near Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: People walk through the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 10, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Two years later, Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow To Western Washington SEATTLE, WA - FEBRUARY 13: An iconic pig statue is seen covered with snow at Pike Place Market on February 13, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. A large winter storm dropped heavy snow across the region. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Protests Break Out Across U.S. After Police Shooting Death Of Daunte Wright SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 12: A police vehicle follows behind a group of demonstrators near Pike Place Market as they protest the death of Daunte Wright on April 12, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Police say the device serves as a non-lethal means of dispersing crowds and can be used to communicate with protesters, but critics say it can be used as a weapon. Wright, a Black man whose car was stopped in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota on Sunday reportedly for an expired registration, and not far from where George Floyd was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis last May, was shot and killed by an officer who police say mistook her service revolver for a Taser. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
KPMG Women's PGA Championship - Preview Day 1 SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 06: LPGA player Brittany Lincicome visits the Pike Place Market prior to the start of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at the Sahalee Country Club on June 6, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for KPMG) (Scott Halleran)
Washington State Continues Efforts To Limit Spread Of Coronavirus SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: The Pike Place Market stands virtually empty of patrons on March 10, 2020 in downtown Seattle, Washington. The historic farmer's market is Seattle's most popular tourist attraction, and business has been especially hard hit by coronavirus fears. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Then And Now: Two Years Since COVID-19 Pandemic In Washington State SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 10: (Top Photo, Master ID: 1211670446) The Pike Place Market sits virtually empty of patrons on March 10, 2020 in downtown Seattle, Washington. The historic farmer's market is Seattle's most popular tourist attraction, and business has been especially hard hit by coronavirus fears. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 09: (Bottom Photo, Master ID: 1384233326) People walk past the Pike Place Market, Seattle's top tourist destination on March 09, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Two years earlier on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, and Seattle was the first U.S. city with a major outbreak. Washington State is due to finally lift its indoor mask mandate on March 12. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (John Moore/Getty Images)
Additionally, some houses imported fruits and vegetables from California and undercut the locally grown food.
On top of all that, consumers said the houses would toss any surplus, keeping demand high and forcing prices up.
In July 1907, in response to complaints from consumers and farmers, Seattle City Council member Thomas P. Revelle introduced an ordinance that created a farmers market at Pike Place. It passed on Aug. 5.
On Aug. 17, the city set up an area for farmers to set up their wagons and proclaimed it as “Market Day.”
The commission houses threatened to blacklist any farmers that sold at the Market and only eight farmers arrived the first day. They were immediately overwhelmed by the crowd and completely sold out.
On Aug. 19, ten farmers arrived. On Aug. 20, ten more. By Saturday, Aug. 24, nearly 70 wagons filled up the Market with produce to sell.