Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
icago, this jewel of a train station was designed to imitate St Mark's bell tower in
Venice.
It was originally constructed in 1906 by Reed & Stem, who also designed New York
City's Grand Central Station, and is notable for many features, not least a fabulous
Italianate plasterwork ceiling in the waiting room that is rich in period detail. The wait-
ing room was covered up by a horrible suspended ceiling in the 1960s but, as part of a
recent $26-million revamp, the entire interior and exterior of the station has been re-
turned to its gilded age high watermark.
OCCIDENTAL PARK
PARK
(btwn S Washington & S Main Sts; Pioneer Sq)
Notable in this cobblestone plaza, just off
1st Ave S, are the
totem poles
carved by Duane Pasco, a nationally respected
Chinookan carver and artist from Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. The totems depict
the welcoming spirit of Kwakiutl, a totem bear, the tall Sun and Raven, and a man rid-
ing on the tail of a whale.
Also eye-catching is the
Firefighters' Memorial
, featuring life-size bronze sculptures
of firefighters in action. Engraved on the granite slabs surrounding the sculpture are the
names of Seattle firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty since the depart-
ment's inception after the Great Fire. The artist is Hai Ying Wu, a University of Wash-
ington graduate.
OCCIDENTAL SQUARE
SQUARE
(btwn S Main & S Jackson Sts; Pioneer Sq)
Occidental Sq, another cobblestone space
flanked by unusually handsome Victorian buildings, is one of the nicest places in this
area. Visit
Glasshouse Studio
to see local artists' impressive works of blown, cast and
lamp-worked glass.
If you need a shot of caffeine or a chance to catch your breath, make the pilgrimage
to Zeitgeist. This coffeehouse is a local haunt of artists and architects. Along S Jackson
St you'll find an excellent concentration of antique stores and some of the city's most
prestigious galleries.
PIONEER SQUARE PARK
SQUARE
