In 1982, plans moved forward to install two 50-foot red cedar totem poles in Market Park (now Victor Steinbrueck Park), adjacent to Pike Place Market. SMA’s Market Park Totem Poles Photograph Collection (Record Series 5801-09) includes 125 photographs documenting the carving, finishing, painting, transport, and installation of the poles in 1984. The project was commissioned by local architect and preservationist Victor Steinbrueck, who maintained a logbook (also included in the collection) recording site visits, progress notes, and paint samples.
Totem poles are monumental carvings originating in Indigenous communities of the Pacific Northwest Coast. During the twentieth century, totem poles were installed in parks and civic spaces throughout the region. Public display of totem poles has generated discussion regarding cultural context, authorship, and representation.
From Cedar to Form: Photographs from September 1982 show red cedar logs staged for carving and marked for layout. Subsequent images capture early carving and the initial shaping of the poles as material is removed and forms begin to emerge.
Developing the Figures: As work progressed, figures became more defined. Photographs document both broad shaping and detailed carving, including work on individual figures such as the bear.
Finishing and Installation: By early 1983, carving was nearing completion and paint was applied to the finished surfaces. Photos also show the completed poles being prepared for transport from Bainbridge Island to Seattle. The totem poles were installed in 1984 and became a prominent feature of the park.
In 2020, the totem poles were removed following vandalism and concerns about their structural condition. Their removal occurred during a broader period of public discussion about monuments, public art, and representation in civic spaces.
Since their removal, conversations have included conservation needs, interpretive context, and whether the poles should be reinstalled. Following conservation work, the poles are anticipated to be returned to Victor Steinbrueck Park in spring 2026.
A selection of photographs and corresponding excerpts from Steinbrueck’s logbook are currently on display in the first floor main lobby at City Hall. The exhibit traces the project from initial carving through installation, highlighting the process behind a familiar Seattle landmark. Stop by and check it out!