Mural at Bergen Place Marker

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Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Mural at Bergen Place

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

1. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

Inscription. The Ballard Historical Society and the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association joined together to create this mural in 1995 to commemorate our community’s rich and prosperous history, and to celebrate our economic and cultural ties to other nations.

The Sister City relationship between Seattle and Bergen, Norway established in 1957, is illustrated by the young Norwegian and American women holding hands in the panel to the left. Behind them are shown the totem pole presented to Bergen by Seattle, and the Bergen City flag, a gift to Seattle from Bergen. The official seats of both cities and the superimposed flags of the United States and Norway over the left and right panels also symbolize this relationship.

The image of the Ballard City Hall (1899-1965) and the children’s parade in the foreground celebrate the history of this community, once the City of Ballard and known as “Shingletown, U.S.A.”

The lumber and maritime industries, portrayed in the left and right panels, were predominant along Ballard’s waterfront since the 1880’s. These industries attracted many first and second generation Scandinavians to this area in the 1900’s, creating ties between Ballard and Scandinavia that have spanned generations.

The image of the minister blessing the fleet, in the far right

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

2. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

panel, depicts an annual ceremony begun in Ballard in the 1920’s. In the mural, he is shown standing in front of the Fisherman’s Memorial which is erected at Fisherman’s Terminal in memory of those who have died at sea. Symbolizing the five Nordic nations of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland are the five swans which soar across the mural.

The mural was conceived and painted by Alan Wylie of Fort Langley, British Columbia, Canada and Charles Michael Svob of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.

Erected 1995 by Voluntary Contributions of Citizens, Organizations, and Businesses and by a Grant from the City of Seattle Neighborhood Matching Fund.

Location. 47° 40.095′ N, 122° 23.064′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. Marker is at the intersection of Northwest Market Street and Leary Ave. NW on Northwest Market Street. Click for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Northwest Market Street, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Ballard Avenue Landmark District Historic Marker Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Avenue Historic District / Ballard City Hall Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Commercial Monorail in the United States (approx. 3.6 miles away); Chief Seattle (approx. 3.9 miles away); 1890 Seattle Fire Department Bell (approx. 4.2 miles away); Bell Street Terminal, Pier 66 (approx. 4.3 miles away); John Harte McGraw (approx. 4.4 miles away); “Great White Fleet” (approx. 4.4 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Seattle.

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

3. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

4. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

"...the young Norwegian and American women holding hands..."

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

5. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

By Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010

6. Mural at Bergen Place Marker

Credits. This page originally submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. This page has been viewed 727 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.