Seattle’s Market Theater gum wall gets cleaned

A worker uses a steam cleaner Nov. 10 to work decades of gum off the Market Theater gum wall near Seattle's Pike Place Market. Tourists and locals have been sticking their used gum to the wall for 20 years, leaving an estimated 1 million pieces.

A worker uses a steam cleaner Nov. 10 to work decades of gum off the Market Theater gum wall near Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Tourists and locals have been sticking their used gum to the wall for 20 years, leaving an estimated 1 million pieces.

(Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)

Nov. 10, 2015 12:27 PM PT

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

The Market Theater gum wall in Post Alley has become a popular tourist stop at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

The Market Theater gum wall in Seattle’s Post Alley is covered with chewing gum several inches thick, with some pieces artfully placed and shaped and others forming gooey stalactites.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

The brick walls in Seattle’s Post alley are covered with chewing gum several inches thick.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

The Market Theater gum wall in Post Alley has become a popular tourist stop at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

Everyone visiting the Market Theater gum wall in Post Alley seems to want a photo of the popular tourist stop at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

The Market Theater gum wall in Post Alley is a popular tourist stop at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Market Theater gum wall in Seattle

Outside the Market Theater ticket window, a tourist grimaces for a snapshot next to the infamous gum wall in Post Alley near Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

(Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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