Have you ever felt the pulse of a city’s history? The Seattle Times building stands before you a silent observer of Seattle’s evolution. Founded in 1891 as the Seattle Press-Times it quickly grew. Alden J Blethen bought the paper in 1896. He renamed it the Seattle Daily Times. Within six months circulation doubled.
The Seattle Times wasn’t just a newspaper. It became a vital part of the city’s identity. Its growth mirrored Seattle’s own. By 1915 its circulation reached 70000. The paper moved to its impressive Times Square Building in 1915. It then constructed a new headquarters the Seattle Times Building. That was north of Denny Way in 1930. This impressive building stood as a testament to the newspaper’s success. The Times moved to its current location at 1000 Denny Way in 2011.
The Seattle Times boasts an impressive legacy. It earned 11 Pulitzer Prizes. This is a testament to its commitment to quality journalism. Its investigative reporting earned international recognition. One notable win was in 2020 for reporting on the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. Another Pulitzer Prize was awarded in 2012. This was for investigative reporting on Washington state’s use of methadone. In 2010 the Times staff received a Pulitzer for breaking news coverage of a Lakewood shooting. A tenth Pulitzer followed in 2015. This time it was for coverage of the Oso mudslide.
The Times wasn’t without its controversies. In 2002 a headline caused outrage among Asian Americans. The subheadline “American outshines Kwan Slutskaya in skating surprise” was deemed insensitive. Michelle Kwan an American skater was mentioned. The paper’s executive editor apologized. Another controversy arose in 2012. The publishers launched advertising campaigns for a Republican candidate and a same-sex marriage referendum. This sparked protests from staff.
For many years the Seattle Times shared a complex relationship with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. From 1983 to 2009 they were under a Joint Operating Agreement. This agreement covered advertising production marketing and circulation. However the partnership ended. The Post-Intelligencer ceased physical publication in 2009.
The Seattle Times continues its impactful journey. It remains one of the few major city dailies independently operated and owned by a local family. The Blethen family’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Seattle’s history. As you stand before this building remember its stories. These stories are part of a larger narrative. This is the narrative of a city a newspaper and the people who shaped them both.