New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Jennifer Ott, "Where the City Meets the Sound: The Story of Seattle's Waterfront" (HistoryLink, 2025) This
Dec 19, 2025
Jennifer Ott, an environmental historian and executive director of HistoryLink, dives deep into Seattle's waterfront history. From pre-contact Coast Salish lifeways to the impact of the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, she reveals how migration, labor battles, and urban development shaped the city. Ott shares insights into the controversial removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the creation of the revitalized Waterfront Park, emphasizing the blend of historical significance and modern public spaces, all while honoring Indigenous connections long overlooked.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Coast Salish Waterfront Network
- The central waterfront was a rich, interconnected Coast Salish seascape centered on Zizalalich, a winter village and cultural hub.
- Its geography and canoe highways shaped regional trade, travel, and seasonal lifeways long before settlers arrived.
City Built On Pilings
- Early settlers extended tiny strips of level land into deep water with pilings, trestles, and wharves to export lumber and coal.
- That ad-hoc 'neighborhood on pilings' created persistent engineering and land-use challenges.
Exclusion Amid Dependency
- Settlers legally excluded Indigenous residents while still relying on their labor and knowledge.
- Early ordinances reveal the contradiction of needing Indigenous skills but seeking to erase Indigenous presence in the city.