Adams in Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Mural at Bergen Place
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
1. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
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
this page online
The image of the minister blessing the fleet, in the far right 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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1995.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 47° 40.095′ N, 122° 23.064′ W. Marker was
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
2. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
Regionally, this marker was in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. It was also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it was 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 location: A different marker also named The Mural at Bergen Place (here, next to 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
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
3. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
4. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
"...the young Norwegian and American women holding hands..."
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
5. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
Photographed by Kathy Ann Bugajsky, February 20, 2010
6. Mural at Bergen Place Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. This page has been viewed 1,599 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on September 14, 2026, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Kathy Ann Bugajsky of Seattle, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
