explore pioneer square
Welcome to the Original Seattle Neighborhood – rich in history, arts, culture, and food!
As you stand on the train overpass on S Main St, you’ll see the south portal of the mile-long tunnel that diverts trains underneath downtown Seattle. The Great Northern Railroad came to Seattle in 1893 with its depot located at the foot of Columbia St and Railroad Ave (now Alaskan Way S). To keep the railroad tracks from creating a traffic hazard and, as an alternative to routing trains along the waterfront, James J. Hill started construction of the tunnel in 1904. The tunnel officially opened in 1906 with the completion of King Street Station.
