From the Seattle Public Library's special collection
Seattle's Smith Tower, pictured under construction in February 1913.Seattle Municipal Archive
The Smith Tower is visible as the march moves along 4th Avenue. Well over 100,000 people took to the streets, bringing hats and signs, for the Women's March on Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.
GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Tourists roam the newly-renovated Smith Tower public spaces, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016.GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM
Seattle's skyline was definitely looking up as the 42-story Smith Tower was nearing completion. In 1914, it was the tallest west of the Mississippi River.P-I File
The Smith Tower under construction. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Smith Tower, exact date unknown.P-I File
L. C. Smith surprised the city when he announced plans for a $1.5 million office building on the corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way. When it was completed in 1914, the 42-story Smith Tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. This picture was taken in 1912 looking across City Hall Park. (Seattlepi.com file/Museum of History and Industry)P-I File
Smith Tower construction, February 1913. (Seattle Municipal Archives)P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken June 27, 1945.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, October 30, 1966.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken April 7, 1935.P-I File
The Smith Tower, March 26, 1975.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The inside of the Smith Tower, July 26, 1971.P-I File
The Smith Tower photographed with the sinking ship parking garage, March 27, 1975.P-I File
The Smith Tower plaque, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Oct. 18, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower roof, Oct. 7, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower at night, Oct. 28, 1962.P-I File
The Dec. 19, 1948 P-I photo caption read: A huge lighted cross, eight stories tall, dramatically shines forth from the Smith Tower, as a reminder that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, the Christ child.P-I File
A June 1966 walkout stalled elevators, so Karen Tinker climbed to the 24th floor.P-I File
The top of the Smith Tower, Sept. 6, 1971.P-I File
A view of the Smith Tower, Feb. 7, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, once owned by Ivar Haglund, was sold in 1985 to a group of investors from San Francisco. It's shown here in 1978.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken July 9, 1931.P-I File
The inside of the Smith Tower, July 13, 1971.P-I File
Ivar Haglund, owner of the Smith Tower, suggested in 1982 that it would make a great city hall.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Oct. 22, 1963.P-I File
The Smith Tower after it was bought by Northwest legend Ivar Haglund, May 18, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
Second Avenue and Yesler Way looking north on Second Avenue in 1935. The Smith Tower, on the right, took the site of a former Bartell Drugs.P-I File
The ferry Kalakala cruises past the Seattle waterfront in this undated photo postcard. (Seattlepi.com file/Museum of History and Industry)P-I File
A space in the Smith Tower, July 13, 1971.P-I File
Inside the ornate Smith Tower Chinese Room, July 13, 1971.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken July 4, 1914.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Jan. 9, 1977.P-I File
An undated photo of Seattle's Smith Tower.P-I File
A Buddhist figure in the Smith Tower restaurant lobby, Nov. 26, 1978.P-I File
Ivar Haglund's fish windsock atop his Smith Tower, Nov. 3, 1977. Not all city officials were pleased with this move, and the windsock eventually came down.P-I File
The Feb. 9, 1977 photo caption read: Nearly 40 floors up, Joe Eggerling dabs mortar into a joint in a terra cotta cornice supporting the roof of the 42-story Smith Tower as renovation of the 63-yeard-old Pioneer Square landmark progresses.P-I File
An ornate lantern in the Smith Tower Chinese Room, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
Chinese dragon guards at the top of the Smith Tower, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The Feb. 9, 1983 photo caption read: A salmon windsock once again flutters over Ivar Haglund's Smith Tower. This is the fourth fish to flap atop the tower since 1978. The last one blew away in a December windstorm. The Great Winds Kite Co. creation was put in place by an experienced mountain climber.P-I File
The Aug. 13, 1979 photo caption read: Lawrence Rodgers has had his ups and downs for 17 years. The Smith Tower elevator operator is one of a vanishing breed.P-I File
The April 1972 photo caption read: Swirl-crowned pillars from old Seattle in the Pioneer Square-Skid Road area contrast with multi-windowed Smith Tower, once the city's tallest building.P-I File
A June 1999 photo of the Smith Tower in Seattle's early morning fog.P-I File
Smith Tower is reflected in a puddle on Yesler Way, 2004.P-I File
Smith Tower peaks out from the dust after the 2001 implosion of the Kingdome.P-I File
The October 1996 photo caption read: Plans are in the works for a big renovation project for the Smith Tower, Pioneer Square Theater and the Collins Building (left).P-I File
The August 1997 photo caption: Smith Tower building engineer Herb Swan checks out the safety enclosure on the observation deck of the landmark structure. Pioneer Square is in the bottom right of the photo, Occidental Park is the area with the heavy trees.P-I File
A 2001 photo of the soon-to-be-demolished Kingdome from the 32nd floor of the Smith Tower.P-I File
The June 1999 photo caption read: Bill Bourgeois, lead elevator operator at the Smith Tower, said he enjoys working in the newly remodeled tower.P-I File
Kumar Natarajam, Smith Tower elevator operator, shown December 28, 1999.P-I File
An undated photo of the historic Smith Tower.P-I File
The October 1996 photo caption read: Big plans are in the works for renovation programs for the Collins Building, Pioneer Square Theater and the Smith Tower.P-I File
An undated photo of Seattle's Smith Tower.P-I File
The Sinking Ship parking garage and the Smith Tower. March 13, 2006.P-I File
The February 1995 photo caption read: Donna Decicio, assistant manager for the Smith Tower, stands outside on the buildings observation deck and enjoys the view. The deck is open to the public and cost $2 per adult and $1 for children and seniors.P-I File
Jack Burris paints the flagpole atop Seattle's Smith Tower, Oct. 30, 1985.P-I File
A security guard walks though 6th floor Smith Tower office space in this undated photo.P-I File
L.C. Smith, who funded construction of the Smith Tower, was the Smith of the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company.P-I File
Seattle's skyline was definitely looking up as the 42-story Smith Tower was nearing completion. In 1914, it was the tallest west of the Mississippi River.P-I File
The Smith Tower under construction. Exact date unknown.P-I File
The Smith Tower, exact date unknown.P-I File
L. C. Smith surprised the city when he announced plans for a $1.5 million office building on the corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way. When it was completed in 1914, the 42-story Smith Tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. This picture was taken in 1912 looking across City Hall Park. (Seattlepi.com file/Museum of History and Industry)P-I File
Smith Tower construction, February 1913. (Seattle Municipal Archives)P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken June 27, 1945.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, October 30, 1966.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken April 7, 1935.P-I File
The Smith Tower, March 26, 1975.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The inside of the Smith Tower, July 26, 1971.P-I File
The Smith Tower photographed with the sinking ship parking garage, March 27, 1975.P-I File
The Smith Tower plaque, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Oct. 18, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower roof, Oct. 7, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower at night, Oct. 28, 1962.P-I File
The Dec. 19, 1948 P-I photo caption read: A huge lighted cross, eight stories tall, dramatically shines forth from the Smith Tower, as a reminder that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus, the Christ child.P-I File
A June 1966 walkout stalled elevators, so Karen Tinker climbed to the 24th floor.P-I File
The top of the Smith Tower, Sept. 6, 1971.P-I File
A view of the Smith Tower, Feb. 7, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, once owned by Ivar Haglund, was sold in 1985 to a group of investors from San Francisco. It's shown here in 1978.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken July 9, 1931.P-I File
The inside of the Smith Tower, July 13, 1971.P-I File
Ivar Haglund, owner of the Smith Tower, suggested in 1982 that it would make a great city hall.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Oct. 22, 1963.P-I File
The Smith Tower after it was bought by Northwest legend Ivar Haglund, May 18, 1976.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Sept. 13, 1976.P-I File
Second Avenue and Yesler Way looking north on Second Avenue in 1935. The Smith Tower, on the right, took the site of a former Bartell Drugs.P-I File
The ferry Kalakala cruises past the Seattle waterfront in this undated photo postcard. (Seattlepi.com file/Museum of History and Industry)P-I File
A space in the Smith Tower, July 13, 1971.P-I File
Inside the ornate Smith Tower Chinese Room, July 13, 1971.P-I File
The original photo caption indicates this picture of the Smith Tower was taken July 4, 1914.P-I File
The Smith Tower, Jan. 9, 1977.P-I File
An undated photo of Seattle's Smith Tower.P-I File
A Buddhist figure in the Smith Tower restaurant lobby, Nov. 26, 1978.P-I File
Ivar Haglund's fish windsock atop his Smith Tower, Nov. 3, 1977. Not all city officials were pleased with this move, and the windsock eventually came down.P-I File
The Feb. 9, 1977 photo caption read: Nearly 40 floors up, Joe Eggerling dabs mortar into a joint in a terra cotta cornice supporting the roof of the 42-story Smith Tower as renovation of the 63-yeard-old Pioneer Square landmark progresses.P-I File
An ornate lantern in the Smith Tower Chinese Room, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
Chinese dragon guards at the top of the Smith Tower, Jan. 2, 1974.P-I File
The Feb. 9, 1983 photo caption read: A salmon windsock once again flutters over Ivar Haglund's Smith Tower. This is the fourth fish to flap atop the tower since 1978. The last one blew away in a December windstorm. The Great Winds Kite Co. creation was put in place by an experienced mountain climber.P-I File
The Aug. 13, 1979 photo caption read: Lawrence Rodgers has had his ups and downs for 17 years. The Smith Tower elevator operator is one of a vanishing breed.P-I File
The April 1972 photo caption read: Swirl-crowned pillars from old Seattle in the Pioneer Square-Skid Road area contrast with multi-windowed Smith Tower, once the city's tallest building.P-I File
A June 1999 photo of the Smith Tower in Seattle's early morning fog.P-I File
Smith Tower is reflected in a puddle on Yesler Way, 2004.P-I File
Smith Tower peaks out from the dust after the 2001 implosion of the Kingdome.P-I File
The October 1996 photo caption read: Plans are in the works for a big renovation project for the Smith Tower, Pioneer Square Theater and the Collins Building (left).P-I File
The August 1997 photo caption: Smith Tower building engineer Herb Swan checks out the safety enclosure on the observation deck of the landmark structure. Pioneer Square is in the bottom right of the photo, Occidental Park is the area with the heavy trees.P-I File
A 2001 photo of the soon-to-be-demolished Kingdome from the 32nd floor of the Smith Tower.P-I File
The June 1999 photo caption read: Bill Bourgeois, lead elevator operator at the Smith Tower, said he enjoys working in the newly remodeled tower.P-I File
Kumar Natarajam, Smith Tower elevator operator, shown December 28, 1999.P-I File
An undated photo of the historic Smith Tower.P-I File
The October 1996 photo caption read: Big plans are in the works for renovation programs for the Collins Building, Pioneer Square Theater and the Smith Tower.P-I File
An undated photo of Seattle's Smith Tower.P-I File
The Sinking Ship parking garage and the Smith Tower. March 13, 2006.P-I File
The February 1995 photo caption read: Donna Decicio, assistant manager for the Smith Tower, stands outside on the buildings observation deck and enjoys the view. The deck is open to the public and cost $2 per adult and $1 for children and seniors.P-I File
Jack Burris paints the flagpole atop Seattle's Smith Tower, Oct. 30, 1985.P-I File
A security guard walks though 6th floor Smith Tower office space in this undated photo.P-I File
L.C. Smith, who funded construction of the Smith Tower, was the Smith of the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company.P-I File
Looking at the Seattleskyline today, it's almost hard to believe the historic Smith Tower was once not only the the tallest building in the city, but the tallest building west of Ohio.
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The tower's height of 462 feet (489 feet if you include the antenna spire) seems modest by modern standards, but when it first opened 105 years ago today, on July 4, 1914, it was a sight to behold. The second-tallest building in the city's skyline at the time was about half the height of Smith Tower.
By 1985, the tables had turned. Smith Tower was about half the size of the now-tallest building in Seattle, the 937-foot Columbia Center.
A total of 1,400 doors, 2,000 windows and 40,000 feet of molding went into its construction, and it took over three years to build. The building was erected atop a foundation of 1,276 concrete piles, each 22 feet long.
Smith Tower remains an icon for the city, and it's easy to spot out in a glassy skyline with a white terra-cotta facade and pyramid topper.
The building was created from the vision of New York industrialist Lyman Cornelius Smith and his son Burns -- the Smith of Smith Corona typewriters. When Lyman died in 1910, Burns decided to build the skyscraper on a property the duo had purchased in Seattle, located at 506 Second Ave. Burns said building a skyscraper there was his father's dream.
Burns initially planned for the tower to open in 1912, but it took an extra year and a half or so to finish.
It was formally opened to the public on July 4, 1914, giving residents and visitors a chance to see the Emerald City from atop its then-highest building.
The building took an estimated $1.25-1.7 million to construct, and it's unclear if it ever turned a profit for the owners. The Smiths sold the tower just 10 years after it opened.
Today, you can still visit the top of Smith Tower, where a bar and walk-around view greet you at the top of the 35th floor. It costs $20 to go up for adults, or $12 for locals. You can also get married, or host other private events, there.
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To see photos of Smith Tower through the years, click through the slideshow above.
Historic information for this article was sourced from HistoryLink.org and SeattlePI archives.
