Beneath the Streets

Beneath the Streets Go Down In History With Seattle's Most Experienced Underground Guides at Beneath The Streets. Additional tour times are added on weekends and in the summer.
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Tours offered daily at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30
Tours last approximately one hour. Tickets are sold at 102 Cherry St. The ticket office is open between 10:15am and 4:30pm.

  to last weeks Jazz Night in Pioneer Square present by the Seattle Jazz Fellowship! What a night to remember and we loo...
02/27/2025

to last weeks Jazz Night in Pioneer Square present by the Seattle Jazz Fellowship! What a night to remember and we look forward to hosting more events in the future 😎

In the late 1930s, the Owls Club dominated Seattle’s softball scene. In 1938, they made history by winning the first Was...
02/26/2025

In the late 1930s, the Owls Club dominated Seattle’s softball scene. In 1938, they made history by winning the first Washington State Women’s Softball Championship at Sick’s Stadium—now the site of Rainier Ave Lowe’s. Renamed the Brown Bombers, they claimed victory again in 1939, with Lillian Brown striking out 12 batters in the final game at Civic Field (now Memorial Stadium).

📷 The Owls Club, 1938, Courtesy of MOHAI Online Collection

Founded on February 23, 1888, when Washington was still a territory, the Rainier Club has stood at the heart of Seattle’...
02/23/2025

Founded on February 23, 1888, when Washington was still a territory, the Rainier Club has stood at the heart of Seattle’s history for over 136 years. What began as a gathering of civic leaders has evolved into a landmark institution, hosting diplomats, presidents, and visionaries who shaped the city and beyond.

From its early days in a 22-room mansion to its iconic Jacobean Revival clubhouse, the club has witnessed Seattle’s transformation through wars, Prohibition, world’s fairs, and social change.

📷 Rainier Club 1964 before paving parking lot

A trailblazing journalist, activist, and community leader, Susie Revels Cayton (1870–1943) was a force for change in ear...
02/19/2025

A trailblazing journalist, activist, and community leader, Susie Revels Cayton (1870–1943) was a force for change in early 20th-century Seattle. The daughter of Hiram Revels, the first Black U.S. senator, she carried forward her family’s legacy of leadership and advocacy.

As associate editor of The Seattle Republican, one of the city’s first Black-edited newspapers, she used her voice to challenge racism and uplift the Black community. Alongside her husband, Horace Cayton, she later launched Cayton’s Weekly, providing a vital platform for African American stories.

Beyond journalism, Cayton was a teacher, social worker, and NAACP member dedicated to advancing civil rights. Her writing, including short stories and editorials, gave visibility to Black experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Despite the increasing racial discrimination in Seattle, she remained steadfast in her mission to fight for justice and equality. Her legacy endures as a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping history.

Join us TOMORROW for our Q***r History Tour! 🌈 Explore the stories of the Q***r community in Pioneer Square and their la...
02/15/2025

Join us TOMORROW for our Q***r History Tour! 🌈 Explore the stories of the Q***r community in Pioneer Square and their lasting impact on Seattle’s history.

🎟️ Book now: www.beneath-the-streets.com or via the link in bio.

How Deep Is Your Love...Beneath The Streets 😏
02/14/2025

How Deep Is Your Love...Beneath The Streets 😏

William Grose (1835 - 1898) was a trailblazer in Seattle’s history. Arriving in the 1860s, he became one of the city’s m...
02/13/2025

William Grose (1835 - 1898) was a trailblazer in Seattle’s history. Arriving in the 1860s, he became one of the city’s most successful Black businessmen, owning a 12-acre property that later became the heart of Seattle’s Black community.

A Navy veteran, gold miner, and Underground Railroad supporter, Grose’s impact extended beyond business—he helped Black families settle in the Pacific Northwest. His hotel and restaurant, Our House, welcomed Seattle’s growing population, and his generosity was legendary—he even refunded a buyer after his hotel burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889.

His former home still stands in Seattle’s Central District, a reminder of his contributions to the city’s history.

Big thank you to Baba Yaga for hosting our company party. Just a bunch of tour guides playing trivia in the Underground ...
02/11/2025

Big thank you to Baba Yaga for hosting our company party. Just a bunch of tour guides playing trivia in the Underground - always a great time!

We have decided due to the wintery weather that the shop will be closed for tours today, 2/5/2025. We plan to reopen tom...
02/05/2025

We have decided due to the wintery weather that the shop will be closed for tours today, 2/5/2025. We plan to reopen tomorrow with regular hours. Thanks & Stay Safe!

Our  : Honoring Washington’s Trailblazing Black Women by Marilyn Morgan.Breaking barriers, leading movements, and making...
02/03/2025

Our : Honoring Washington’s Trailblazing Black Women by Marilyn Morgan.

Breaking barriers, leading movements, and making history—Washington’s Black women have shaped our state in powerful ways. From Nettie Craig Asberry, founder of the Tacoma NAACP, to Dr. Dolores Silas, a leader in education and civil rights, their impact is undeniable.

Author Marilyn Morgan brings their stories to life, highlighting musicians, scientists, politicians, and activists who fought for change. Whether working as Rosies at Boeing during WWII or leading protests, these women paved the way for future generations.

A powerful and accessible read, this book is a must-have reference for anyone interested in Washington’s history. Let’s celebrate their legacies together! Swing by our Cherry Street gift shop to grab your copy today.

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Discover the timeless beauty of Pioneer Square. This 1952 watercolor by Jess Cauthorn offers a glimpse into the neighbor...
01/31/2025

Discover the timeless beauty of Pioneer Square. This 1952 watercolor by Jess Cauthorn offers a glimpse into the neighborhood’s historic charm, from the elegant iron pergola to the towering totem pole.

Step into the past with us at Beneath The Streets Seattle Underground Tour and explore the stories that shaped Seattle. There’s history around every corner, waiting to be uncovered. Booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

📷 Pioneer Square, Jess Cauthorn, 1952, MOHAI

Have a safe and happy Lunar New Year!Your Friendly Neighborhood Tour Guides At Beneath The Streets
01/29/2025

Have a safe and happy Lunar New Year!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Tour Guides At Beneath The Streets

Before Seattle was a city, it was a wild frontier town—and the Felker House was at its heart. Built in the 1850s by Sea ...
01/24/2025

Before Seattle was a city, it was a wild frontier town—and the Felker House was at its heart. Built in the 1850s by Sea Captain Leonard Felker, this two-story hotel was managed by the infamous Mother Damnable, a foul-mouthed innkeeper with a legendary temper. Under her watch, the Felker House became more than just a hotel, rumored to double as Seattle’s first brothel, catering to loggers, sailors, and pioneers looking for more than just a warm bed.

Seattle’s early leaders, including Doc Maynard, recognized that vice fueled the local economy, and they looked the other way as the city’s first red-light district took shape.

The Felker House burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, but its legacy lives on in the stories of Seattle’s early underworld.

Want to hear more? Our Red Light District Underground Tour dives into the city’s seedy past—prostitutes, bootleggers, crime bosses, and the forgotten figures who shaped Pioneer Square.

Friday and Saturday Night at 6pm. Book tickets at www.beneath-the-streets.com or booking link in bio.

📷 Seattle Hotels. Felker house. Jackson St. and Front St. Built 1853., SPL

In 1974, the Skid Road Theater was putting on Two Gentlemen of Verona. Today, the show is over, but the stories remain—o...
01/23/2025

In 1974, the Skid Road Theater was putting on Two Gentlemen of Verona. Today, the show is over, but the stories remain—our Historic Underground Tour begins right where this theater once entertained Seattle. If you look closely at our awning, you’ll spot the old lettering, a reminder of its dramatic past.

Join us for a tour! Booking link in bio or at www.beneath-the-streets.com

📷 The Skid Road Show theater entrance, August 1974, spl_wl_thr_00011, SPL

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In November 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Seattle for what would be his only visit to the city. Invited by...
01/20/2025

In November 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in Seattle for what would be his only visit to the city. Invited by Rev. Samuel B. McKinney, a close friend and classmate from Morehouse College, King came to share his vision of justice, equality, and brotherhood.

But not everyone was ready to welcome him. Originally scheduled to speak at First Presbyterian Church, the invitation was rescinded just weeks before King’s arrival. The excuses offered—construction, scheduling conflicts—were thin veils for a deeper resistance to his message.

Rev. McKinney didn’t back down. With determination, he found alternative venues, ensuring King’s voice could be heard. Over two days, Dr. King addressed crowds across Seattle, captivating audiences with his powerful words. It was here that he tested ideas that would later resonate in his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Dr. King’s time in Seattle wasn’t just about speeches. He shared meals with Rev. McKinney, laughed over barbecue in the Central District, and visited the home of his childhood friend, Dr. Blanche Lavizzo. Though his visit was brief, the city left an impression on him, as did the resilience of Seattle’s Black community.

Today, we honor Dr. King’s legacy, reflected in Seattle landmarks like Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. His visit reminds us that even in the face of resistance, persistence and courage can pave the way for change.

As we celebrate his life and dream this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s recommit to the work of justice, equality, and unity.

📷 Martin Luther King Jr., during his visit to Seattle in 1961. (Larry Dion / The Seattle Times

Address

102 Cherry Street
Seattle, WA
98104

Opening Hours

Monday 10:15am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 10:15am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:15am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10:15am - 4:30pm
Friday 10:15am - 6:30pm
Saturday 10:15am - 6:30pm
Sunday 10:15am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12066241237

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