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

Marvin Sjoberg

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

1. Marvin Sjoberg Marker

Inscription.
plaque one:
Dedicated in Honor of
Marvin Sjoberg
Mayor of Ballard
April 4, 1975

plaque two:
Marvin Sjoberg (born April 4, 1921 – Died February 26, 1989) was a colorful resident of Ballard Avenue. He was given the honorary title “Mayor” by his neighbors and friends for his acts of caring and community that touched the lives of many Ballard Avenue business people and residents.

Erected 1975.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1975.

Location. 47° 40.079′ N, 122° 23.101′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. It can be reached from the intersection of Ballard Avenue Northwest and 22nd Ave NW, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5400 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle WA 98107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ballard Centennial Tree (here, next to this marker); The Ballard Avenue Landmark District Historic Marker Project (a few steps from this marker); Ballard Avenue Historic District / Ballard City Hall Bell (a few steps from this marker); Eagle Building (a few steps from this marker); Olsen Furniture (within shouting distance of this marker); Mural at Bergen Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Enquist Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Princess Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

More about this marker. The marker is located in Marvyn's Garden, a tiny park located in Ballard and the site of Ballard's former city hall.

Also see . . . Marvin's Garden. <blockquote>Marvin's Garden is a tiny, quiet oasis across the street from Bergen Place Park

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

2. Marvin Sjoberg Marker

in Ballard. Its five benches on a stone-embedded concrete patio are surrounded by cedar trees, shrubbery, and flowers in planters. It is also the site of the red brick Ballard Centennial Bell Tower, created to hold the old Ballard City Hall bell at the site where the City Hall stood, and to mark the Ballard Avenue Historic District. Note the inlaid compass in the floor of the bell tower. (Submitted on March 5, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Marvin Sjoberg image. Click for full size.

Photographed by University of Washington Digital Libraries, April 4, 1975

3. Marvin Sjoberg

Marvin Sjoberg, the "Honorary Mayor" of Ballard, with his birthday cake and card at Marvin's Garden in Ballard, Seattle, Washington, April 4, 1975. Marvin Sjoberg (born ca. 1921) moved to Ballard with his parents during the depression. Illiterate, he sold newspapers, worked odd jobs, and for years lived in the basement of the Ballard Smoke Shop, working as its caretaker and occasional bouncer. A beloved character in the neighborhood, he came to be known as the Honorary Mayor of Ballard, and a local park was named "Marvin's Garden" in his honor.

Marvin's Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

4. Marvin's Garden

Backdrop view of Marvin's Garden Park in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 5, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.