The Pergola is an outstanding landmark in Pioneer Square. It was originally built as a shelter for the Yesler and James St. Cable Car Co. It's located at the intersection of James St. Yesler Way, and 1st Ave. It is made of cast iron and glass. There are a couple of street lamps that also serve as ventilation shafts for the abandoned public restrooms below. These are exquisite restrooms with marble dividers, terazo floors and brass fixtures. A description worth reading can be found here:
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2950.
It was knocked down by Pete Benard in his 18 wheeler on January 15th, 2001. He was an inexperienced truck driver working for U.S. Xpress Enterprises of Chattanooga, Tenn. On August 17th 2002 the rebuilt Pergola was celebrated. It took 3.9 million dollars to put it back together again, a task that some believed impossible. read more