“Muck-Muck-Wum.” That’s what the native people called this place. Here at Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66, we stand on a site rich with history. This is more than just a cruise terminal. It’s a place where Seattle’s maritime story unfolds.
Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66 anchors an 11-acre complex. It sits along Seattle’s downtown waterfront. It is home to Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises. These cruise lines offer weekly sailings to Alaska during cruise season.
In 1911, this location became the headquarters of Washington’s first public port. Commissioners H.M. Chittenden, C.E. Remsberg, and Robert Bridges established it. The Bell Street Pier historical marker commemorates this. It honors the 75th anniversary of the Port of Seattle. The dedication occurred during National Maritime Week in May 1986.
From 1914 to 1915, workers constructed Bell Street Pier. They used fill from the Denny Regrade project. This project leveled Seattle’s Denny Hill neighborhood. The new pier was close to the business district. A wooden trestle bridge connected it to Belltown.
Initially, Bell Street Pier featured a wooden shed. It served as a cold-storage warehouse. Ocean-going vessels docked on the bay side. According to historian Paul Dorpat, ramps led to the Port of Seattle headquarters. This was on the pier’s second story. There were plants, benches, a solarium, and a play area. Parents left their children here while shopping at Pike Place Market.
However, the city closed this area to the public by 1920. It had become a nighttime meeting spot for sailors. Concerns arose about pregnancies and moral issues. This coincided with the start of Prohibition.
Seattle’s waterfront became an industrial hub. It handled massive cargo transfers efficiently. By the early 20th century, it was the most advanced on the West Coast. The Port of Seattle owned and operated its wharves and piers. Its Bell Street Pier headquarters was near the city’s business center.
During World War II, the pier was renamed Pier 66. By the mid-1990s, Pier 66 underwent reconstruction. It became part of the Bell Street Pier and Bell Harbor Complex. This included a cruise ship terminal, marina, and conference center. Also, there were shops, restaurants, and the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center.
Today, this complex spans eleven acres. Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines dock here. They provide seasonal passage to Alaska. Bell Street Pier Complex is a short walk to Pike Place Market. It is close to Miner’s Landing, the Great Wheel, and the Seattle Aquarium.
Look around. Notice the blend of history and modern maritime activity. The Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66 plaque reminds us of Seattle’s rich past. It’s a testament to the city’s evolution as a major port.