1890 Buried Load-Bearing Systems Beneath Seattle — Technology That Was Sealed Away

1890 Buried Load-Bearing Systems Beneath Seattle — Technology That Was Sealed Away

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After Seattle’s Great Fire of 1889, the city rebuilt itself on a new elevation, raising streets and replacing wood with stone and brick. During this transformation, engineers working beneath the surface encountered structural systems already in place—foundations that extended deeper than expected and quietly supported what would become the rebuilt city.

This documentary investigates what was uncovered during excavation and historical reconstruction: buried load-bearing frameworks of stone and timber, integrated into new foundations across multiple building sites. Using archival photographs, engineering notes, and close examination of underground infrastructure, the film explores how these systems were reused during rebuilding, even as details about their origin and purpose remain poorly documented in official records.

Rather than offering final answers, the investigation invites reflection. Why were these structures robust enough to be preserved and reused, and why do references to them appear only briefly in historical accounts? By examining forgotten engineering beneath an old city, the film considers how unexplained infrastructure can persist unseen, continuing to carry the weight of modern life above.

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