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

The Mural at Bergen Place

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

1. The Mural at Bergen Place Marker

Inscription. The artists who created the Mural at Bergen Place have said in a picture what a thousand words cannot adequately express: that our community has links to other cities and other nations that span cultural, political and economic differences, and that these links have been forged and strengthened throughout our local history.

In the panel to the left, the sister-city relationship between Seattle and Bergen, Norway is illustrated by the young Norwegian and American women holding hands. Behind them are shown the gifts exchanged by Seattle and Bergen — the totem pole present to Bergen by Seattle, and the Bergen City Flag, a gift from Bergen. The official seals of these cities and the flags of the United States and Norway, superimposed over the left and right panels, also symbolize this relationship.

Ballard’s ties to the past are represented in the center panel by the image of the City Hall which served the City of Ballard from 1890 to 1907. A historic sense of community and celebration are captured in the image of the children’s parade in the foreground.

The lumber and fishing industries, portrayed in the left and

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right panels, provided livelihood for its citizens. Though all of its mills are now gone, Ballard was known in the early 1900s as “Shingletown, U.S.A.,” because more red cedar shingles were produced in its waterfront mills than anywhere else in the nation.

Fisherman’s Terminal countines today to serve the fishing families who for generations have built their boats and set out from this haven in search of a good catch. The image of Pastor Haavik blessing the fleet, in the far right panel, depicts an annual ceremony begun in Ballard. The Fishermen’s Memorial shown behind Paster Haavik, was erected at Fishermen’s Terminal in memory of those who have died at sea.

Lumber and fishing attracted many first and second generation Scandinavians to this area in the early 1900s, and the majority of churches and many of the fraternal organization in early Ballard were made up of Nordic members. Today, events and exhibits at the Nordic Heritage Museum, the 17th of May Parade, and other annual events sponsored by Ballard organizations celebrate the community’s strong Scandinavian ties. Symbolizing the Nordic nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland,

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

2. The Mural at Bergen Place Marker

Norway and Sweden are the five swans which soar across the mural.

The mural was dedicated on October 25, 1995 by Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.

Erected by Friends of Bergen Place, Ballard Historical Society, Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association, Nordic Heritage Museum.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 47° 40.094′ N, 122° 23.065′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Adams. It is on Leary Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5450 22nd Avenue 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, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

The Mural at Bergen Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

3. The Mural at Bergen Place

on 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: The Ballard Avenue Landmark District Historic Marker Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Centennial Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Marvin Sjoberg (within shouting distance of this marker); Olsen Furniture (within shouting distance of this marker); Ballard Avenue Historic District / Ballard City Hall Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); America's Oldest Continually Operating Movie Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Enquist Block (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mural at Bergen Place (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Bergen Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, February 21, 2026

4. Bergen Place

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.