Seattle, WA

Seattle on When It Was is 57 addresses and the 84 businesses that have occupied them, the oldest from 1878. 37 are still open today; 47 are gone, and 11 of the buildings themselves have been demolished. Every entry below opens a page with the full history of that address, and the map lets you slide the year and watch the city change.

Start here

Moore Theatre

1932 1st Avenue · 1907–present · 4 businesses here

James A. Moore built this theater and hotel to entertain crowds for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, and then the fair was pushed back t…

Paramount Theatre

300 Pine Street · 1928–present · 3 businesses here

The Paramount opened on March 1, 1928, as the Seattle Theatre, and was the first U.S. venue with a convertible floor.

Smith Tower

506 2nd Avenue · 1914–present

When Smith Tower opened on July 4, 1914, it was the tallest building west of Ohio. Its namesake, typewriter magnate L. C. Smith, had died fo…

Central Saloon

207 1st Avenue South · 1892–present · 2 businesses here

Nirvana played the Central for the first time on June 5, 1988, and afterward agreed to a record deal with Sub Pop.

Seattle Cinerama

2515 4th Avenue · 1963–present · 3 businesses here

The Edgewater Hotel

2411 Alaskan Way · 1962–present · 3 businesses here

Viretta Park (Kurt Cobain Memorial)

171 Lake Washington Boulevard East · 1901–present · 4 businesses here

Maneki Restaurant

304 6th Avenue South · 1904–present

Maneki opened in 1904 in a castle-shaped building that could seat up to 500, and a future prime minister of Japan worked there as a student.

Seattle, decade by decade

• 1870s
  2 opened — Rainier Brewing Company, Original Rainier BrewerySee the map in 1875 →
• 1880s
  1 opened — Seattle Underground (Pioneer Square)See the map in 1885 →
• 1890s
  4 opened — The Bon Marché, Central Saloon, The Central Saloon, Merchant's Cafe and SaloonSee the map in 1895 →
• 1900s
  13 opened — Viretta Park (Kurt Cobain Memorial), Viretta Park, Kurt Cobain Death House, Moore Theatre, and 9 moreSee the map in 1905 →
• 1910s
  4 opened — Frederick & Nelson Department Store, Off Ramp Cafe (now El Corazón), Smith Tower, Frederick & NelsonSee the map in 1915 →
• 1920s
  7 opened — Paramount Theatre, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Wah Mee Club, Neptune Theatre, and 3 moreSee the map in 1925 →
• 1930s
  6 opened — The Showbox, MV Kalakala Ferry, Sick's Stadium, The Dog House, and 2 moreSee the map in 1935 →
• 1940s
  3 opened — Cloud Room at the Camlin Hotel, Comet Tavern, Trader Vic's (Seattle / The Outrigger)See the map in 1945 →
• 1950s
  8 opened — Rosellini's Four-10, Alaskan Way Viaduct, Rosellini's Four-10, Bush Garden Restaurant, and 4 moreSee the map in 1955 →
• 1960s
  5 opened — Seattle Cinerama, SIFF Cinema Downtown (formerly Cinerama), The Edgewater Hotel, Harvard Exit Theatre, and 1 moreSee the map in 1965 →
• 1970s
  10 opened — Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spices, Starbucks #1, Mama's Mexican Kitchen, Kingdome, and 6 moreSee the map in 1975 →
• 1980s
  10 opened — Reciprocal Recording Studio (now Hall of Justice), Sub Pop Records (Original Headquarters), Sub Pop Records World Headquarters (Terminal Sales Building), El Corazon (The Off Ramp), and 6 moreSee the map in 1985 →
• 1990s
  8 opened — Kurt Cobain Residence, Linda's Tavern, Re-bar, The Crocodile Cafe, and 4 moreSee the map in 1995 →
• 2000s
  3 opened — Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), Museum of Pop Culture (Experience Music Project), Jimi Hendrix grave / memorial, Greenwood Memorial ParkSee the map in 2005 →

Still here, and gone

By kind of place

Restaurant (14)

Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spices · Mama's Mexican Kitchen · Rosellini's Four-10 · Cloud Room at the Camlin Hotel · Maneki Restaurant · Rosellini's Four-10 · Bush Garden Restaurant · Vito's Restaurant and Lounge · and 6 more

Theater (9)

Paramount Theatre · Moore Theatre · The Moore Theatre · Seattle Cinerama · SIFF Cinema Downtown (formerly Cinerama) · The Showbox · Neptune Theatre · Music Box Theatre · and 1 more

Bar (9)

Linda's Tavern · Central Saloon · The Central Saloon · Merchant's Cafe and Saloon · Doc Maynard's Public House and Seattle Underground · Comet Tavern · College Inn Pub · The Double Header · and 1 more

Music Venue (9)

El Corazon (The Off Ramp) · Off Ramp Cafe (now El Corazón) · Off Ramp Cafe · The Crocodile Cafe · The Crocodile (Original Location) · Crocodile Cafe · OK Hotel · The Off Ramp / El Corazon · and 1 more

Landmark (4)

Space Needle · Garfield High School (Jimi Hendrix's school) · Jimi Hendrix grave / memorial, Greenwood Memorial Park · Seattle Underground (Pioneer Square)

Recording Studio (3)

Reciprocal Recording Studio (now Hall of Justice) · Sub Pop Records (Original Headquarters) · Reciprocal Recording Studio

Brewery (3)

Old Rainier Brewery · Rainier Brewing Company · Original Rainier Brewery

Stadium (3)

Sick's Stadium · Kingdome · The Kingdome

Every place in Seattle (57)

• Bush Garden Restaurant 614 Maynard Avenue South · 1953–2021 · 2 businesses
• Central Saloon 207 1st Avenue South · 1892–present · 2 businesses
• Cloud Room at the Camlin Hotel 1619 9th Avenue · 1949–2003
• College Inn Pub 4006 University Way NE · 1973–present
• Comet Tavern 922 E Pike Street · 1943–present
• Doc Maynard's Public House and Seattle Underground 614 1st Avenue · 1975–2020
• Easy Street Records 4559 California Avenue Southwest · 1988–present
• El Corazon (The Off Ramp) 109 Eastlake Avenue East · 1986–present · 3 businesses
• Fairmont Olympic Hotel 411 University Street · 1924–present · 2 businesses
• Frederick & Nelson 500 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 · 1918–1992
• Garfield High School (Jimi Hendrix's school) 400 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 · 1923–present
• Georgetown Castle (Gessner Mansion) 6420 Carleton Avenue South · 1902–present
• Harvard Exit Theatre 807 E Roy Street · 1968–2015
• Hat 'n' Boots (Premium Tex service station) Oxbow Park, 6430 Corson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108 · 1954–1988
• Jimi Hendrix grave / memorial, Greenwood Memorial Park Greenwood Memorial Park, 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056 · 2003–present
• Kingdome 201 South King Street · 1976–2000 · 2 businesses
• Linda's Tavern 707 East Pine Street · 1994–present
• Luna Park 1902 Harbor Avenue SW · 1907–1913
• Luna Park 2001 Alki Avenue SW · 1907–1913
• Maneki Restaurant 304 6th Avenue South · 1904–present
• Merchant's Cafe and Saloon 109 Yesler Way · 1890–present
• Moore Theatre 1932 1st Avenue · 1907–present · 4 businesses
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) 325 5th Avenue North · 2000–present · 2 businesses
• Music Box Theatre 1414 5th Avenue · 1928–1987
• Neptune Theatre 1303 NE 45th Street · 1921–present
• Northgate Mall 401 NE Northgate Way · 1950–present
• OK Hotel 212 Alaskan Way South · 1988–2001
• Old Rainier Brewery 3100 Airport Way South · 1904–1999 · 2 businesses
• Original Rainier Brewery 5624 Airport Way S · 1878–1999
• Original Starbucks (Western Ave location) 2000 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 · 1971–1976
• Paramount Theatre 300 Pine Street · 1928–present · 3 businesses
• Pike Place Market 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 · 1907–present
• Pike Place Market Public Market Center 85 Pike Street · 1907–present · 2 businesses
• Re-bar 1114 Howell Street · 1990–present
• Reciprocal Recording Studio 4230 Leary Way Northwest · 1986–1991
• Reciprocal Recording Studio (now Hall of Justice) 4230 Leary Way NW · 1986–1991
• Seattle Cinerama 2515 4th Avenue · 1963–present · 3 businesses
• Seattle Underground (Pioneer Square) 608 1st Ave (Doc Maynard's), Seattle, WA 98104 · 1889–present
• Sick's Stadium 2700 Rainier Avenue South · 1938–1976
• Smith Tower 506 2nd Avenue · 1914–present
• Space Needle 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109 · 1962–present
• Starbucks (Original Pike Place Location) 1912 Pike Place · 1976–present · 2 businesses
• Starbucks Coffee, Tea, and Spices 2000 Western Avenue · 1971–1976 · 2 businesses
• The Crocodile Cafe 2200 2nd Avenue · 1991–present · 4 businesses
• The Crocodile Cafe (original location) 2200 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 · 1991–2020
• The Dog House Restaurant 2230 7th Avenue · 1958–1994 · 2 businesses
• The Double Header 407 2nd Avenue South · 1934–2015
• The Edgewater Hotel 2411 Alaskan Way · 1962–present · 3 businesses
• The Lusty Lady 1315 First Avenue · 1985–2010
• The Off Ramp / El Corazon 109 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98109 · 1990–1999
• The Showbox 1426 1st Avenue · 1939–present
• The Vogue 2018 1st Avenue · 1982–1999
• Trader Vic's (Seattle / The Outrigger) 1900 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 · 1948–1999
• Twin Teepees Restaurant 7201 Aurora Avenue N · 1937–2000
• Viretta Park (Kurt Cobain Memorial) 171 Lake Washington Boulevard East · 1901–present · 4 businesses
• Vito's Restaurant and Lounge 927 9th Avenue · 1953–2024
• Wah Mee Club (Louisa Hotel) Maynard Alley S, Louisa Hotel, 665 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104 · 1920–1983