Ballard

In the Greater Seattle area, the 21^st century has been all about revitalization and community localization. Thanks to the initiatives of the very popular former mayor Norm Rice, many of the city’s individual neighborhoods saw modernization and economic growth, not the least of which was the North Seattle district of Ballard. From humble beginnings, Ballard came to reflect the “new urban” style that has come to define Seattle as a premier city in the Pacific Northwest.

Looking at it today, it’s funny to think that the neighborhood of Ballard started out as the result of a lost coin-toss. A landholding group consisting of homesteaders, developers and prospectors in the late 19^th century sought to make the land on Salmon Bay and Shilshole Bay a center for the fishing industry, but business was slow and the company dissolved, leaving the tract of then-unwanted land in the care of Captain William Rankin Ballard, a banker. Thanks to the temporary migration away from the city center after the Great Seattle Fire, the district of Ballard saw a massive influx of workers and craftspeople. The town of Ballard was born and by the early 1900’s it became a part of the city of Seattle.

Many of the early residents of Ballard were Scandinavian seafarers, but modern-day Ballard is a much more cosmopolitan place. What was once a humble fishing village now has a thriving downtown along Market Street with sleek commercial spaces, live music venues and a globetrotting selection of eateries. On the north end in Loyal Heights and Whittier Heights, an easy-to-navigate grid of residential blocks and community spaces serve as a sort of mini-suburb to the self-sufficient downtown area.

While Ballard is one of the finest examples of the urban revitalization that has made Seattle what it is in the past decade, the neighborhood has done well to retain its history. It is home to the Nordic Heritage Museum that features art and cultural education experiences highlighting the contributions of Northern European immigrants to America. In addition, Ballard has many preserved and restored historical sites including Fire Station 18, the Ballard Carnegie Library and many other authentic early-19^th century structures along the red brick roads of the Ballard Historic District.

There are four parks in Ballard proper and easy access to several more in surrounding communities. Near the downtown area is the Ballard Playground, while Loyal Heights boasts the Loyal Heights Play Field and Salmon Bay Park. Near Shilshole Bay is the beautiful Sunset Hill Viewpoint Park with some of Seattle’s clearest views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. At the northwest intersection of Ballard and Crown Hill is the popular Golden Gardens Park, while the famous Woodland Park and its adjacent zoo are just a short drive or bus ride away in Phinney.

Ballard has a high density of public school options for students of all ages, as well as the pre-kindergarten through grade 8 St. Alphonsus School. Ballard High School is the oldest continually operating high school in Seattle, though it currently occupies a building constructed early this decade. Thanks to participation with a wide variety of local technology firms and medical facilities, Ballard High School hosts a biotechnology Magnet program.

The district of Ballard continues to develop, not just outward and upward but as a modern community as well. It is a center for urban sustainability projects and a national leader in Green city planning. With a wide variety of residential options, there’s a place for everybody in the neighborhood, from young singles to professionals and families. The commute to downtown or the University District is a breeze, but you won’t have to leave the district for good food and entertainment. All in all, Ballard is a lovely place to call home.