Back in the ‘70s, I didn’t do the Paris sewer tour so I’ve kicked myself ever since. The description of the Seattle underground tour had the same quirkiness about it, and for that reason, we decided to do it. The destruction of the Seattle Hotel in the middle of the Pioneer Square District encouraged the late Bill Speidel to attempt to stop future development by showing the people of Seattle that the buildings of the area were more than buildings; they were treasure houses of stories. After all, a heritage building had been torn down to build a parking garage referred to contemptuously today as the "sinking ship garage" due to its shape.

Seattle was first settled in 1851 on a mud flat. As the town grew, the problem of sewage waste reared its smelly and ugly head. Waste from the homes on the hill above the settlement regularly washed down into it. With the invention of the flush toilet, the waste was concentrated in a wooden sewer, but at high tide, the flow to the flush toilets reversed…not pleasant then, but the stuff of many jokes on the tour.

Fortunately, much of the city burned on June 6, 1887. The town’s inhabitants were eager to rebuild and started doing so immediately, but the city had other ideas. After eight years of spewing toilets, it might be possible to solve the problem by raising the level of the city and running new sewer lines. The city built walls around city blocks so that the first floor of the rebuilt and surviving buildings was now the basement. For some time, to cross a street, it was necessary to leave the building, climb up a ladder to reach street level, walk across the street and descend another ladder to get to the main entrance of the building there. There were all kinds of accidents until new sidewalks were built over the old sunken sidewalks; they were supported by brick arches and a number still today feature a form of glass sky-lighting to illuminate the old walkways below.

There isn’t much to see on the tour as you visit the old walks around three different basement groups. The delight of the tour is the discussion of Seattle’s history. The guide staff seems to be made up of frustrated and in-between-jobs actors and they give a good , and comedic, performance. We learn that in this busy little town there were once 2000 seamstresses and very few sewing machines. A tax would be applied to them that would supply most of the early city’s tax income. A city built on the backs of the taxpayers? There were just so many stories.

The tour price was $14 adult (2007) and although our initial group seemed huge, it was broken down into four groups of 45 with separate guides. It was all well done, but there was limited visual impact.

Who knew that there was a city under Seattle's sidewalks? Even to this day, explorers are uncovering more of the lost city remains. Barber shops, markets, and delicatessens were the norm, but underground?! Yes! That's what makes it interesting! The history behind the city has its roots under Seattle... literally. You will never hear stranger facts about a city in a tour. These people had toilets 6 feet of the ground or higher! Sewage became an issue as high tide caused plumming to back up and even overflow the toilets. Disgusting? Yes. Necessary? Yes. Historic? YES! I cannot wait to get another chance to go! I went about three years ago! And they were uncovering new rooms then! They couldn't lead us to every room because of excavation, but the three corridors and areas we visited were enough to convince me that this place was fascinating. Imaging staring at 50 foot water pipes... Now imagine that they are for the skyscraper or hotel Above your head! The feeling is absolutely exhilarating and completely safe!

With any city you visit, whether you realize it or not, there is a long history behind it. However, if you want to learn more about the history, you usually need to visit your local library or do some research online to learn anything about it. Seattle, though, offers a very interesting tour about Seattle’s past. What makes it more fascinating is that a big part of Seattle’s history happened (what is now) below ground. And, once you come back above ground, you will appreciate knowing a little bit about the city you’re walking through.

The tour introduction, which lasts about 20 minutes before you actually go underground, basically discusses how dirty and disgusting Seattle was in the 1800s, and how its founders were all corrupt. Oh, and be prepared for a graphic description of how toilets and plumbing worked in the city’s early years. I found it all quite humorous, but that’s me.

After the intro, the real underground tour begins. Large groups of 20+ people are guided below the sidewalks in the Pioneer Square area to see the former street level of Seattle. Not to give it away, but street level in the Pioneer Square area (and other parts of Seattle) is actually the former second floor of buildings. Due to many reasons, the first floors were covered over and the street level was raised to its current height.

The tour is not continuously underground. Be prepared to go up and down stairs three times as you visit three different sections of Pioneer Square. Once downstairs, though, be prepared for a glimpse into the past.

The Underground Tour is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Seattle, especially if you are in the Pioneer Square area. They put a humorous twist to it (with plenty of bad jokes), which makes it very enjoyable for history buffs and normal people alike. Unfortunately, there is no way to book a regular tour in advance, though private tours are available by calling at least 2 weeks in advance. You must book regular tours the day of the tour, and you must book it early in the day. The cost is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, and $5 for children.

More information: http://www.undergroundtour.com/