Seattle in King County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The Fremont Troll
The Troll Under the Bridge
By J. J. Prats, May 22, 2015
1. The Fremont Troll Marker
The Fremont Troll was designed and built by Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter and Ross Witehead with the help from the community. The Fremont Arts Council sponsored the project, which hoped to build a greater sense of place in the neighborhood through art, and with it a stronger community. The Troll was selected in an open competition in which the community voted on proposals designed by four finalists. Many volunteers helped prepare the site and create the ferro-cement sculpture. Support came from time, money and in-kind donations by the community, and a grant from the Seattle Neighborhood Matching Funds Program. Maintenance is provided by the Fremont Arts Council and you. Please leave the site cleaner than you found it.
Special thanks to: Barbara Luecke • Judy & David Juryi • Denise Fogleman • Roger Wheeler • Peter Bevis • Jim Adamson • Cameron Mason • Johann Enderlein • Maque Davis • Chuck Nafziger • Gary Nordgulen • Memory of Sandie Smith • NJ Burns Co. • Larry Nelson • Black Duck Motors • The Burke Co. • Hensons’ Masonry • Claude Utley.
Please direct inquiries concerning any use of the design or image of The Fremont Troll to the artists or to the Fremont Arts
By J. J. Prats, May 22, 2015
2. The Fremont Troll and Marker
Erected 1990 by The Fremont Arts Council. Etched plaque donated by Acu-line Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Places.
Location. 47° 39.068′ N, 122° 20.844′ W. Marker is in Seattle, Washington, in King County. Marker is at the intersection of North 36th Street and Troll Avenue North, on the right when traveling east on North 36th Street. Troll Avenue runs under the bridge, which carries Aurora Avenue (State Highway 99) over the Fremont Cut. You can reach The Fremont Troll from Fremont Avenue by turning east onto 36th or 35th streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Seattle WA 98103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lenin in Fremont (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fremont Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Boeing's Lake Union Seaplane Hangar (approx. one mile away); Seattle Fisherman's Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); George Washington (approx. 1.7 miles away); De La Mar Apartments (approx. 1.8 miles away); Medal of Honor Memorial (approx. 1.8 miles away); Naval Training Station Seattle (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Seattle.
Regarding The Fremont Troll. From Wikipedia: The idea of a troll living under a bridge is derived from the Norwegian fairy tale
By J. J. Prats, May 22, 2015
3. The Troll Under the Bridge
In 1990, the Fremont Arts Council launched an art competition whose partial goal was to rehabilitate the area under the bridge, which was becoming a dumping ground and haven for drug dealers. The piece, built later that same year, won the competition.
The Troll is a mixed media colossal statue under the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge (also known as the Aurora Bridge). It is clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle, as if it had just swiped it from the roadway above. The vehicle has a California license plate.
Also see . . .
1. Fremont Troll’s web page. (Submitted on November 18, 2016.)
2. Concrete Trolls (not Trowels). This page has photos taken during the Fremont Troll’s creation. (Submitted on November 18, 2016.)
1990 sculpture by Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter and Ross Whitehead; photo by J.J. Prats, May 20, 2015
4. The Fremont Troll
Sculpture is 18 feet high and weighs 12,000 pounds. It is made of steel rebar, wire, and concrete. The troll has captured a Volkswagen Beetle. He is interactive—visitors are encouraged to clamber on him or try to poke out his one good eye (a hubcap).
The artists have chosen to exercise their copyright to control commercial use of Troll images. All commercial use of The Troll’s image must first have permission in writing from the artists. Postcards, beer, and other products approved by the artists are commercially available, and use is free to non-profit organizations.
The artists have chosen to exercise their copyright to control commercial use of Troll images. All commercial use of The Troll’s image must first have permission in writing from the artists. Postcards, beer, and other products approved by the artists are commercially available, and use is free to non-profit organizations.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 515 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 18, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
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