Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

April 24, 2013

Underground Tour

I didn't get to do near as much as I wanted in the Seattle area, but I did get to go on the Underground Tour in the summer of 2010.  It's well worth it.  

A good portion of Olde Seattle was originally much lower on the marshy flatland just off Puget Sound.

Kinda hard to see the photo, but the present day street goes right over the tops of the buildings and the space between it.  Those are the buildings which are part of this tour.



Looking up at a skylight.  The clear glass was treated with manganese and that has turned the glass to rich shades of purple over time.





It should be noted that some people with claustrophobia would not like this tour at all.  It includes navigating through narrow doorways, stairs and passages, with fairly low ceilings.  There are three sections of this tour, and so it is broken up with trips up to the streets and sidewalks above for a few feet before descending again to the rooms below.

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour is located in Pioneer Square.  Seattle is a very difficult city in which to navigate by car, I'm not gonna lie. At least it was for me. Find a parking garage near downtown, grab a map and just walk from there.  

17 comments:

  1. I know I said this last time but I really feel like I'm getting to know the west coast, JoJo. I've never heard of this either. Thank you for such great pictures!

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  2. Thank you Elsie! I was very lucky to have lived out there for over 2 decades, but it's great to be back home on the east coast now too.

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  3. Freaky... so they just built the new city OVER the old one? Reminds me of Futurama...

    Yeah, I would NOT be a good tourist down there - I prefer to be above ground thankyouverymuch.

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  4. That would be fascinating as long as I didn't think about being underground.

    T

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  5. I don't mind underground tours, especially of a city or parts of a city from the past. This one looks a bit scary, as if things could collapse around you. Definitely wouldn't want to do it at night, though. I doubt that it would if they take tours through, but it looks eerie.

    I like seeing an appreciation for the past though. It gives me faith in our longevity.

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  6. Looks fascinating.

    Apparently you can go on tours of the Paris sewers, but I never did go.

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  7. Anonymous1:59 PM

    Thanks for the pix; I don't think of myself as particularly claustrophobic, but if the opportunity presented itself, I don't see me going down there. I took the bus when I was in Seattle.

    I think you mean the catacombs in Paris Val. You wouldn't get me down there either!

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  8. How freaky that they just built the new city on top of the old and the old is still there!! Cool pictures.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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  9. Fascinating! Reminds me a little of an underground district in Atlanta, GA. BTW, I detest searching out a parking place--usually grab the first one I see and walk to my destination(s).

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  10. That's so cool that you got to go on that tour JoJo! I remember watching a special on this on...I think it was 'Cities of the Underworld'. You've been to some fabulous places.

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  11. DG, the buildings are quite sound and haven't even been damaged in the many quakes over the years.

    It was really cool afterwards, to be back up on the street and realize what was right below. You just don't think of old buildings being underground.

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  12. I've wondered a few times about taking that tour. Sounds like I must do it sometime.

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  13. Spooky... u take good pictures...

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  14. I would love that tour! I love that city. Been visiting since the 1990's , since my BFF lives and teaches nearby.
    The restaurants rival places like San Francisco, it's great. I remember taking my then-teen son to Sub Pop Records downtown, which was like Mecca to him!
    I am overdue for a visit, but Seattle BFF is coming here in July!

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  15. Man, I can almost smell it down there! Precisely MY kinda tour! I'd love to go ghost-hunting down there, Jojo! I think it isso beautiful.

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  16. I've been on that tour! I was totally fascinated! I didn't have my camera though, so it was great to see your photos!

    Tina @ Life is Good
    Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
    @TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

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  17. I bet that was really cool to see, but it looks like it could also be a little scary. Thanks for sharing your amazing photos.
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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