Denny Party lands at Alki Point, first settlers of future Seattle

Background. The Denny Party were American pioneers credited with founding Seattle, Washington, in 1851. Originally from Cherry Grove, Illinois, the party began their journey west on April 10, 1851, led by 29-year-old Arthur A. Denny. They arrived in Portland, Oregon on August 22, 1851, and, upon hearing of the remote Puget Sound, sent David Denny, John Low, and Lee Terry ahead to scout for land. On November 5, 1851, the remainder of the party left Portland on the schooner Exact, bound for Puget Sound.

Settlement at Alki. Upon arrival, the party platted a settlement called New York Alki, consisting of six blocks of eight lots. The site initially featured an unfinished cabin and camp. Lee Terry and John Low had already staked claims and begun construction with local Native American assistance. Arthur Denny expressed disappointment that these claims were already established by the scouts before the main party's arrival.

Key Participants. A monument at Alki lists the adult men composing the first Seattle Colony, beginning with Arthur A. Denny, though the recorded inscription is truncated mid-list. David Denny stayed on at Alki in the unfinished cabin after scouting, and Lee Terry and John Low staked claims there ahead of the main party. Carson Boren is recorded as a member of the wagon party that traveled west, alongside Mary Ann Boren and Louisa Boren.