Adams in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Ballard Avenue Historic District / Ballard City Hall Bell
Marker 1:
Be it remembered that at this place on the eleventh day of April, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy Six, the Ballard Avenue Landmark District was officially designed by a city ordinance signed by Wesley C. Uhlman, Mayor of the City of Seattle and through the proclamation of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, created in the bicentennial spirit of preserving the best of past traditions for the enlightenment of future generations.
Marker 2:
Under the provisions of the National
Historic Preservation Act of
October 16, 1966, this property
possesses exceptional value in
commemorating or illustrating
American history
Placed on the National Register on
July 1, 1976 by the National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Washington State Parks
and Recreation Committee
Marker 3:
The 1,000 pound brass bell has now been refurbished and returned to the Ballard community after an absence of nearly 40 years. On April 11, 1976, Sweden’s King Carl Gustaf XVI and Seattle’s mayor Wes Uhlman rang the bell to formally announce the creation of the Ballard Avenue Historic District and the resurgence of community interest in its historic past. The bell now hangs in this monument at the corner of 22nd Avenue Northwest and Ballard Avenue, the former site of the Ballard City Hall.
Erected 1976 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior; Washington State Parks and Recreation Committee. (Marker Number 103.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1827.
Location. 47° 40.071′ N, 122° 23.094′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. Marker is at the intersection of 22nd Ave. NW and Ballard Ave. NW on 22nd Ave. NW. Located in Marvin's Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22nd Ave NW and Ballard Ave NW, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Ballard Avenue Landmark District Historic Marker Project (a few steps from this marker); Olsen Furniture (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mural at Bergen Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Enquist Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Fremont Saloon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Princess Hotel (about 300 feet away); Halverson's Dry Goods (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
More about this marker. The location, 22nd Avenue Northwest and Ballard Avenue Northwest, is where the Ballard City Hall once stood. It's now known as Marvin's Garden, a tiny park named after Marvin Sjoberg, a local character who died in 1989. While Marvin Sjoberg never showed up on any election ballot, he was vested with the honorary title of "Mayor of Ballard" sometime in the 1950s or 1960s. Somewhere in this tiny triangular splinter of a park was once a bronze plaque proclaiming: "Dedicated in honor of Marvin Sjoberg, Mayor of Ballard, April 4, 1975."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. This page has been viewed 1,714 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.