The Market was founded in 1907 by City Council President Thomas Revelle as a response to high produce prices. It expanded rapidly.
The Market opened on August 17, 1907, and was meant as a way for city-dwellers to purchase produce without going through a middle-man. Although threatened by development in the 1960s and 1970s, it continues to thrive.
The Market remains roughly in its original location, on the west side of Pike Place in downtown Seattle, overlooking the city's waterfront. It started out as just a few farmers' stands, but now stretches for several blocks, from Pike Street to Virginia Street.
Pike Place hosted an average of 64 farmers a day by 1909. That number more than doubled by 1915. The Market declined in prestige and popularity between the 1940s and 1970s, but was revitalized as a tourist destination in the 1980s.
The original market comprised eight farmers' wagons, and permanent buildings went up in the 1920s. Today it covers nince acres and houses 200 permanent businesses, 190 arts and crafts spaces, 120 farmers' booths and some apartment units.
