logo
206.623.8747800.727.4430
MENU
logo
0 items | $0.00 | cart
Checkout



Metsker Maps has a rich history as one of Seattle’s most iconic map stores, with roots that trace back to the early 20th century.


The story begins with Charles F. Metsker, who founded the business in Tacoma, Washington, in 1901. Originally, Metsker’s business focused on producing custom maps for surveyors, logging companies, and real estate firms – key industries in the Pacific Northwest at the time.

By the 1930s, Metsker Maps had expanded to Seattle, where it would ultimately establish its reputation. Charles Metsker, known for his love of cartography and attention to detail, began creating a series of unique maps that were highly accurate and customized to the needs of the region. These maps included detailed representations of Washington's counties, cities, and natural features, earning a reputation for their precision and quality. Metsker’s maps became a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, planners, and anyone interested in the geography of the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle store became a beloved local landmark, known for its floor-to-ceiling collection of maps, globes, and atlases from around the world. For decades, it has been a go-to destination for adventurers, travelers, and map collectors, offering not just maps, but also personalized service and a deep knowledge of geography.

Metsker Maps has continued to thrive through even the digital age, adapting to the changing landscape of cartography with new technologies while still maintaining its dedication to high-quality printed maps.

In 1980, the store moved to Pioneer Square and a few years later joined forces with Kroll Map Company, a century old local mapmaker in Belltown that continues to publish maps to this day. While we were once rivals, we are now one happy map family. In 2004, we made the move to Pike Place Market where you can visit us in the Sanitary Market Building.

Today, Metsker Maps remains a treasure trove for map lovers in Seattle, upholding over a century of tradition and continuing to connect people to places with their vast collection of maps and geographic resources.

We’re proud to say we have been and always will be a small, locally owned business and plan to continue on as such for as long as we can, because of our supportive customers such as yourself!

logo

logo