Pioneer Square totem pole, Seattle, ca 1899 (MOHAI 88)

The totem pole at Pioneer Square has been a Seattle landmark since 1899. In that year, a group of Seattle businessmen visited the Tlingit village of Tongass, in Alaska. They thought the village was deserted and removed the 50-foot tall pole as a souvenir. The village residents were away at work, however, and the businessmen were later fined for the theft of the pole.
Caption by MOHAI staff.
Subjects (LCTGM): Totem poles--Washington (State)--Seattle; Business districts--Washington (State)--Seattle; Commercial streets--Washington (State)--Seattle