The King Street Coal wharf was erected in 1877 to enable coal mined in Newcastle, WA, and brought by railcar to Seattle's waterfront, to be loaded onto ships, many of which were destined for the Pacific Coast's main metropolis, San Francisco.This photo shows the King Street Coal Works at Second Avenue and Columbia Street, with Northern Pacific rail cars on the tracks, and downtown Seattle in the distance. The Central School, built in 1883 on Sixth Avenue and Madison Street, is prominent on the hill at the top of the frame.

Businesses in image: Hardware Co.; The Arcade, W. P. Boyd & Co; Drugs, S. Stewart & Co.; Columbia House; Central School; San Francisco Store, Dry Goods; Squire's Opera House; St. Elmo Hotel; New England Hotel; Occidental Hotel; Coppin's Water Works Signs in image: Northern Pacific; Real Estate Caption information source: Pacific Coast Architecture Database at http://pcad.lib.washington.edu

• Subjects (LCTGM): Ore Industry--Washington (State--Seattle; Railroad cars; Piers & wharves--Washington (State)--Seattle