Henry L. Yesler (1810-1892) established Puget Sound's first
steam-powered sawmill in the young village of Seattle in 1852.
He maintained good relations with local Native Americans
and sired at least one child by an Indian woman before
his wife, Sarah, arrived from Ohio in 1858. Yesler served as King
County's first auditor in 1853 and was elected mayor of Seattle in
1874 and 1885. He also founded Seattle's first water system, established
its first community hall and theater, and ultimately made his fortune
in real estate. He and his wife built an opulent mansion at present-day
1st Avenue & James Street in 1883 and were leaders in numerous
civic and social causes, including public libraries and woman suffrage.
Henry Yesler surveyed Puget Sound during the summer of
looking 1851 for the best site for the area's first mill.
In early October 1852, Carson Boren (1824-1912) and
Dr. David S. Maynard (1808-1873) persuaded him to choose Seattle
by donating a waterfront lot called "the Sag" and a corridor
down which logs could be dragged from upland forests.
This strip was originally named Mill Street but most called it "Skid Road".
Today it is Yesler Way.

Sarah Yesler, Photographed in San Francisco, 1880
Sarah Burgert married Henry Yesler in Ohio
Once he was settled in Seattle, she traveled out to join him.
Sarah Yesler was active in many civic groups
including the Ladie's Relief Society, which helped the needy and the
Ladie's Library Board, which founded Seattle's public library in the
home of one of the members. Mrs. Yesler was Seattle's first librarian.
After she died in the late 1880s, her husband gave their home
to the city to use as a library.

Log booms of Yesler Mill. 1878
Photographer Asahel Curtis, 1874-1941
Sailing vessels moored at Yesler's Wharf and coal bunkers,
viewed from the back of the Peterson Bros. photography studio
at the foot of Cherry St.

 Looking west from 1st Ave. and Yesler Way, 1913.
Shows the Pioneer Building, Mutual Life & the 619 Western Building.
Curtis and Miller, photographers.