Beneath the bustling energy of Pike Place Market lies more than just the aroma of fresh seafood and handcrafted pastries—there’s history baked into the brick walls, and maybe even a few lingering souls from the past. As one of Seattle’s most iconic and oldest public markets, Pike Place Market stands as a living, breathing monument to the city’s colorful past. But for those of us drawn to the otherworldly, it offers more than unbeatable views and artisan vendors. With stories whispering through the century-old alleyways and hidden corners, Pike Place is not just a market—it’s a historic and potentially haunted destination waiting to be explored by adventurous travelers and ghost hunters alike.
The History
Where It All Began: The Birth of Pike Place Market
Established in 1907, Pike Place Market was a response to a major problem Seattle residents faced at the turn of the 20th century: dishonest pricing by produce middlemen. The city was growing rapidly, and fresh food was becoming increasingly expensive as wholesalers marked up prices. A local City Councilman, Thomas Revelle, proposed a simple yet revolutionary idea—to allow farmers to sell directly to consumers. On August 17, 1907, eight farmers pulled up their wagons along Pike Place and began selling vegetables at fair prices. By day’s end, thousands of shoppers had arrived, and the news of the market’s success spread like wildfire.
Due to overwhelming popularity, the city quickly built a permanent, covered venue. Thus began the enduring legacy of Pike Place Market—a vibrant, bustling center for food, culture, and community interaction that has now existed for over a century.
Growth Through the Decades
Through the 1910s and 1920s, Pike Place Market continued to expand. By the 1930s, the market boasted a thriving immigrant community, with Japanese, Italian, and Jewish farmers and merchants operating vibrant stalls. It became more than just a marketplace—it was a microcosm of Seattle’s diverse cultural fabric.
Like many historic places, Pike Place saw ups and downs. During World War II, the forced internment of Japanese-American citizens drastically impacted the community. Many family-run businesses shuttered, some never reopened. The 1950s and 60s brought decline as cars grew more popular, and suburban shopping centers lured Seattle’s population away from the city center. Developers even proposed demolishing the market in favor of new high-rise buildings in the late 1960s.
Thankfully, a grassroots movement known as the “Friends of the Market” saved Pike Place from destruction. In 1971, city-wide votes preserved the district and funded its restoration. Today, the market thrives as a cultural hub, bringing together over 500 vendors, small businesses, and artists under one historic roof.
The Soul of Seattle
Because of its long and rich history, Pike Place Market has become more than just a place to shop—it’s part of Seattle’s soul. It’s seen joy, poverty, community, heartbreak, and rebirth. Locals and tourists alike gather here daily to experience its ever-changing, yet somehow timeless, environment.
But with a place so steeped in memory, so full of voices from the past… is it really any surprise that some of those voices might still linger?
The Haunt
Ghost stories swirl around Pike Place Market like the morning mist rolling off Puget Sound. With over 100 years of patchworked history—from displaced Native populations, tragic fires, internment of Japanese Americans, and continued urban evolution—the market has its fair share of restless spirits, especially in the lower levels and shadowy corners that most tourists skip.
The Ghost of Princess Angeline
One of the most iconic spirits said to haunt Pike Place Market is Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Seattle. While her people were forcibly relocated, Angeline refused to leave her beloved homeland and lived in a small shack at the base of Pike Street. She died in 1896. Many claim her spirit remains, showing up as a hunched elderly woman in 19th-century clothing. Witnesses report that she appears briefly along the staircases and then vanishes into thin air. Vendors and visitors have even claimed to feel cold patches and see her reflection when no one else is there.
The Shadow People of the Down Under
The Market’s “Down Under” levels—the warren of old shops and hallways underneath the modern market—are the epicenter of spooky activity. Often dimly lit and echoing with the sounds of foot traffic above, it’s not uncommon for visitors to hear disembodied footsteps, laughter, or whispers with no source. Paranormal investigators have reported EMF spikes, unexplained chills, and recording devices capturing inaudible voices.
Some tell of “shadow people”—tall, human-shaped shadows that seem to dart from doorways or stand silently at the end of a corridor before disappearing entirely. Employees working the graveyard shift often avoid certain areas altogether, citing strange sensations of being watched.
The Woman in the Lavender Dress
Another common sighting is a woman in a lavender dress, often seen by multiple people at once. Described as ethereal yet vivid, the figure never interacts but always appears near the edge of the old market theater. When approached, she vanishes. Her identity is unknown, and no one knows whether she was an actor or a patron from decades ago. Some think she may be tied to the theater’s early days, when vaudeville acts and burlesque shows were common.
The Market Theater and the Gum Wall
The infamous Gum Wall in Post Alley may seem quirky, but it’s located right outside the Market Theater—another place with chilling tales. Staff members say they have heard phantom laughter during rehearsals, the sound of footsteps pacing back and forth across the empty theater, and even spotlights flickering on and off unprompted. One actor reportedly saw a figure watching from the balcony—and they were alone in the building.
Paranormal investigators believe that the emotionally charged performances and years of human energy inside such spaces can lead to ghostly impressions—residual hauntings, if you will. And given how many lives have passed through these halls, it’s not hard to believe.
Reports from Local Vendors
It’s not just tourists or paranormal teams who claim to experience the unexplained. Longtime market sellers have their own stories. Some recall locking up their shops only to return to items rearranged or misplaced the next morning. Others report unexplained cold gusts or whispers while working alone before opening hours. One seller swears an antique doll went missing over a weekend—only to reappear tucked on a high shelf that no one could reach without a ladder.
Conclusion: A Must-Visit for Ghost Hunters
If you’re a paranormal enthusiast looking for your next adventure, Pike Place Market offers far more than fish throwing and flower stalls. Beneath the cobbled streets and neon signs is a realm where history and hauntings intertwine—a place alive with the spirits of the Pacific Northwest’s past.
Its layered history, iconic location, and bustling energy provide the perfect backdrop for ghostly encounters. Whether you’re navigating the narrow corridors of the Down Under or pausing at a vendor’s booth that feels just a bit too chilly, Pike Place has the potential to offer more than just lunch—it might just offer a brush with the beyond.
Bring your EMF detector, charge the night vision camera, and prepare for unexpected encounters. Because at Pike Place Market, the past is never far away—and sometimes, it’s still shopping beside you.