PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University Press is pleased to announce the release of “Eccentric Seattle: Pillars and Pariahs Who Made the City Not Such a Boring Place After All.”
Through a series of colorful vignettes, readers join author J. Kingston Pierce in an irreverent romp through Seattle’s past to rediscover the people and events that shaped the region. Pierce unearths the expected tales of politicians, architects and real estate moguls, but also of those with vocations such as brothel owner, holy roller and rum runner. For better or worse, each left his or her own mark, and for a time, brought fame or notoriety to communities of the Pacific Northwest.
The narratives in “Eccentric Seattle” delve into the origins of Pioneer Square, Mercer Island, Bellevue and other nearby locations, describing the previous uses of many familiar structures and the visionaries who created them. In addition, they offer a local perspective on nationwide and worldwide events such as the Panic of 1893, the influenza epidemic during World War I and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan.
The author treats readers to a wealth of wonderful Seattle trivia, as well. For example, in 1896, there was only one mile of paved thoroughfare. In 1919, the city was the home of the first general strike ever held in the nation, and in 1926 residents elected the first female mayor of any major U.S. city.
In paperback only, “Eccentric Seattle: Pillars and Pariahs Who Made the City Not Such a Boring Place After All,” is 6 inches by 9 inches, 320 pages, and retails for $21.95. It is available at bookstores or can be ordered directly, plus shipping, from WSU Press by calling (800) 354-7360 or online at www.wsupress.wsu.edu.
