The Sticky Story of Seattle’s Gum Wall

A Landmark Born from Litter

Beneath Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a brick wall in Post Alley became an unexpected tourist attraction in the 1990s. Visitors to the Market Theater started sticking used gum on the wall, often with pennies pressed into it. By 1999, officials stopped cleaning it, declaring it a local landmark.

A Growing Attraction

The Gum Wall expanded rapidly, reaching 50 feet in length and 15 feet in height by the late 2000s. Some visitors even crafted small artworks from their gum contributions. By 2024, it had grown to 54 feet long, with an estimated 180 pieces of gum per brick.

Cleaning Efforts

In 2015, the wall underwent its first full cleaning in 20 years to protect the bricks, removing 2,350 pounds of gum. Cleanings also occurred in 2018 and 2024, but gum was re-added almost immediately, often commemorating events like the Paris attacks.

A Quirky Cultural Icon

Named one of the “germiest” attractions in 2009, the Gum Wall is a favorite spot for tourists, wedding photographers, and art enthusiasts. It even inspired artist Rudy Willingham to create a Pete Carroll mural out of gum in 2024, celebrating the Seahawks coach’s legacy.

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