RUM-RUNNING, An EMPRESS, PISTOLS, AND TYPEWRITERS…
Whispers of its colorful history stir the intrigue of this fixture of the Seattle skyline.
About Smith Tower
Rum runners, guns, typewriters, romantic superstitions, and ties to Chinese royalty are all woven into the historical fabric of this icon, which presents a window into the Emerald City’s colorful past. Classic architecture evokes an opulent era, a backdrop of craftsmanship that lives on through carefully crafted cocktails from an unrivaled, breathtaking vantage high above Seattle.
For over a century, visitors have come here to take in Seattle from above, relax, and have a good time. When you visit, be sure to have a seat in the Wishing Chair, and keep your eyes out for more legends as you explore the thirty-fifth floor.
JULY 4,
1914
Smith Tower opened to
the public
History
Other buildings may have more physical stories, but none has more stories of lore that are forever a part of Seattle’s history.
Opening Day
July 4, 1914
Centuries of Wishes
A Gift From 1908
The famed “Wishing Chair,” rumored to have been gifted to L.C. Smith by China’s Empress Dowager Cixi before her death in 1908, remains in the thirty-fifth-floor Smith Tower Observatory and is a popular spot for visitor selfies. Rumor has it that if you’re single and you sit in the chair, you’ll be married within the year!
Dream big
A Monumental Achievement
SMith Tower Facts
Take a trip through history with these fascinating fun facts about Smith Tower.
Smith Tower was the vision of Lyman Cornelius (L.C.) Smith, an industrialist from New York who made a fortune selling typewriters and firearms. L.C.’s wife fell in love with Seattle and convinced him to purchase the land at Second Avenue and Yesler that would eventually become Smith Tower.
Neighborhood
Smith Tower is located in the heart of Pioneer Square, south of downtown Seattle. Pioneer Square is rich in history, having served as the city’s original port and lumber hub. Today the neighborhood is known for its historic architecture, “First Thursday” art walks, restaurants, bustling nightlife, boutiques, and galleries.
