Cover Donated by the Underground Tour - Seattle, WA
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 47° 36.110 W 122° 20.026
10T E 550079 N 5272262
This manhole cover, donated by the Underground Tour, in the area where they conduct their guided tours, has a relief of a group of people standing, and words embossed in memory of Bill Speidel.
Waymark Code: WM9T8Q
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 09/27/2010
Views: 18
In the Pioneer Square section of Seattle, there is a manhole by a shelter in the square plaza that is very likely a "one up." The manhole is a few feet from James Street at the point where it merges with Yesler Way.
The main design of the cover is a group of five standing people. Below them are the following words:
"Donated by the Underground Tour Est. 1965"
Around the edge of the cover is the following text:
'"Seattle is made up of doers, don'ters, doubters, and deadheads" - Bill Speidel, 1912 - 1988 Father of Seattle's Underground'
Bill Speidel was a local historian and through his research and efforts to save the buildings and underground walkways, he started the Seattle Underground Tours. His efforts resulted in saving many beautiful buildings and preserve some of Seattle's older character. I'm not sure what it took to have a custom manhole made and installed, but it was done, and it caught my eye as I walked around! No information could be found on when it was installed, though it had to have been after 1988.
A newspaper article stated the cover was removed temporarily at that time (2002), due to an accident that damaged the shelter structure by it. Obviously, it has since been restored.
Source:
Seattlepi.com ("Artistic Expressions at Your Feet, 2002):
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visit link)