One of the biggest mysteries of Pike Place market is the ‘Heaven’s Gate’ tile. During a few fundraising efforts throughout the years, starting in 1985, the public has been given the chance to purchase an engraved tile with their name or a message. Sitting close to an engagement proposal is the mysterious Heaven’s Gate tile, dated 6 - 8- 85.
For years this tile has been a mystery to tourists. Of course the most famous group with this name was the infamous Heaven’s Gate cult, whom do have some connections in their past to Seattle. People have put these pieces together, while missing a vital piece of information. Heaven’s Gate didn’t adopt this name until the late 90’s. The Class, The Two, The UFO Two, and a few other titles had been floating around but the infamous moniker was not considered or used in 1985.
The year is notable to the group as dating the passing of co-founder Bonnie Lou Nettles, however 6 - 19 rather than 6 - 8 was the month and date. Furthermore this death did not mean the end of the class and dedicating a tile her under this name would have been unusual. If you are familiar with their beliefs you may also realize that someone passing away was not considered an actual death, but rather this person exiting their ‘vehicle’ in order to enter ‘The Evolutionary Level Above Human.’
So what does this all tell us? Not much! The tile is probably not related to Heaven’s Gate in any way, however the true donator has not been identified after all these years.
As a final note, we have collected a small handful of rubbings of this tile - and have them available for purchase. Just know they are commemorating a mysterious group, not the cult itself.
(Please note, this listing is for one rubbing, and there may be slight variances in which rubbing you receive)
One of the biggest mysteries of Pike Place market is the ‘Heaven’s Gate’ tile. During a few fundraising efforts throughout the years, starting in 1985, the public has been given the chance to purchase an engraved tile with their name or a message. Sitting close to an engagement proposal is the mysterious Heaven’s Gate tile, dated 6 - 8- 85.
For years this tile has been a mystery to tourists. Of course the most famous group with this name was the infamous Heaven’s Gate cult, whom do have some connections in their past to Seattle. People have put these pieces together, while missing a vital piece of information. Heaven’s Gate didn’t adopt this name until the late 90’s. The Class, The Two, The UFO Two, and a few other titles had been floating around but the infamous moniker was not considered or used in 1985.
The year is notable to the group as dating the passing of co-founder Bonnie Lou Nettles, however 6 - 19 rather than 6 - 8 was the month and date. Furthermore this death did not mean the end of the class and dedicating a tile her under this name would have been unusual. If you are familiar with their beliefs you may also realize that someone passing away was not considered an actual death, but rather this person exiting their ‘vehicle’ in order to enter ‘The Evolutionary Level Above Human.’
So what does this all tell us? Not much! The tile is probably not related to Heaven’s Gate in any way, however the true donator has not been identified after all these years.
As a final note, we have collected a small handful of rubbings of this tile - and have them available for purchase. Just know they are commemorating a mysterious group, not the cult itself.
(Please note, this listing is for one rubbing, and there may be slight variances in which rubbing you receive)
