New orleans Quote by Murray Morgan
““To know Seattle one must know its waterfront. It is a good waterfront, not as busy as New York's, not as self-consciously colorful as San Francisco's, not as exotic as New Orleans, but a good, honest, working waterfront with big gray warehouses and trim fishing boats and docks that smell of creosote, and sea gulls and tugs and seafood restaurants and beer joints and fish stores--a waterfront where you can hear foreign languages and buy shrunken heads and genuine stuffed mermaids, where you can watch the seamen follow the streetwalkers and the shore patrol follow the sailors, where you can stand at an open-air bar and drink clam nectar, or sit on a deadhead and watch the water, or go to an aquarium and look at an octopus.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Seattle: City of the Future by Murray Morgan, 1951
The quote paints a vivid portrait of Seattle’s waterfront, emphasizing its authentic, working‑class character and multicultural vibrancy, contrasting it with more flamboyant ports.
In simple terms: Seattle’s waterfront is honest, busy, and culturally rich.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate everyday places for their unique stories.
Themes
culture
urban life
authenticity
diversity
history
Mood
nostalgic
curious
reflective
Type
descriptive
observational
When to use this quote
- travel writing
- city tours
- local business visits
- cultural immersion
- photography
Key Concepts
regional identity
social observation
place‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the waterfront shape Seattle’s identity?
- What stories do the everyday people there tell?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the challenges faced by waterfront workers and residents.
