In addition, the houses sold the farmers’ produce only on a commission basis, that is, they paid only for what they sold. However, the farmers accused the houses of claiming that they did not sell the product and claiming that it was spoiled, while in reality the houses sold the product and pocketed everything.
Feliks Banel: The cowgirl from Rainier is a great asset to this small town
In addition, some households imported fruits and vegetables from California, undercutting the prices of locally grown foods.
In addition, consumers said homes were throwing away any excess, keeping demand high and driving up prices.
Happy 117th birthday, Pike Place Market!
And if you ever thought that Pike Street is busy today, just look at the pedestrian, horse-drawn carriage, automobile, cart, streetcar and wagon traffic in 1912. pic.twitter.com/UjXwbhDlGx
— Washington State Archives (@WAStateArchives) 17 August 2024
In July 1907, in response to complaints from consumers and farmers, Seattle City Council member Thomas P. Revelle passed an ordinance to create a farmers’ market at Pike Place. It was passed on August 5.
On August 17, the city set up an area where farmers could park their wagons and declared the day “market day.”
The commission houses threatened to blacklist all farmers who sold at the market, and on the first day only eight farmers came. They were immediately overwhelmed by the crowd and their goods were completely sold out.
On August 19, ten farmers arrived. On August 20, ten more arrived. On Saturday, August 24, nearly 70 wagons filled the market with produce for sale.
