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

Ballast Island

Historical Point of Interest

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011

1. Ballast Island Marker

Inscription. In this area once part of the bay, vessels from ports all over the world dumped their ballast. Untold thousands of tons were unloaded into the water by ship’s crews including 40,000 tons from San Francisco’s Telegraph Hill.

The island, long a gathering place for Indians on their annual migrations, was covered in the 1890’s by construction of Railroad Avenue (now called Alaskan Way).

Erected by The Yukon Club and Propeller Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 47° 36.037′ N, 122° 20.173′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. It is in Downtown Seattle. Marker is at the intersection of Alaskan Way South and South Washington Street, on the right when traveling south on Alaskan Way South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Alaskan Way South, Seattle WA 98104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Steamer Idaho Wreckage (within shouting distance of this marker); Indians Attack Seattle! Jan. 26, 1856 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seattle’s First Pier (about 300 feet away); Maynard Building (about 500 feet away); Schwabacher’s Store

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(about 500 feet away); Grand Central Hotel (about 500 feet away); What do you need to rush for gold? (about 600 feet away); Earl Layman Street Clock (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2011

2. Ballast Island Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 857 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.