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History of Ballard
Ballard Community
Ballard In The News
Links
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Ballard: An Important Part of Washington’s History
Though incorporated into the City of Seattle in 1907, Ballard continues to maintain
its small town qualities and sense of independence. Located in an area bordered by
both Puget Sound and Salmon Bay, water was and continues to be an important part
of the community.
Tucked back from the sound, Salmon Bay provided a safe haven during winter months
for Ballard’s first inhabitants, the Shilshole tribe. Numbering over 1,000 at their
peak, our local waters provided an abundance of salmon and clams for drying.
Ballard’s first English settler, Ira Utter, arrived in 1853 to homestead his 820
acres. Soon, others followed to farm and log the heavily forested hills. Like other
pioneer towns, without roadways and rail lines, travel by water was the easiest and
quickest mode, especially when transporting timber.
In 1890, with Ballard’s incorporation as a city, it became the third largest city
in the newly formed state of Washington, with 1,636 residents.
Ballard’s lucrative lumber industry began, with the building of the Sinclair mill
on Salmon Bay in 1880. Water access was essential to timber companies and others
followed. By 1895, Ballard was given the title “Shingle Capital of the World,” producing
more shingles than any other town in Washington. Millwork from Ballard helped rebuild
Seattle after the Great Fire of 1889. Machine shops, metal foundries and many other
small manufacturers also established themselves along the shoreline.
By that time, Ballard’s population had grown to 10,000 and fishing also became a
major industry. As the demand for salmon grew, fisherman, especially those from Scandinavia,
were attracted to the area. Arriving as part of the great wave of immigration from
1880 to 1920, Ballard’s scenic surroundings reminded them of their homeland.
Boat building was also an important industry, the success of which began with the
wooden vessels crafted largely by Scandinavians. In addition to fishing vessels,
small yards built cannery boats and tugs for use in the milling industry.
By 1905, pressure to consolidate with the City of Seattle had grown strong. Ballard
needed to secure an adequate water supply for its growing population. Seattle was
eager to acquire the prosperous mill town that blocked expansion to the north. City
officials used their water source as a bargaining chip and on November 6, 1906, Ballard
could hold out no longer. Annexation was approved by a close vote of 996 in favor
to 874 opposed.
In 1916, after years of planning and construction, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
were completed. The new waterway linked Puget Sound with a vast inland harbor composed
of Salmon Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington. In the years following WWI, Ballard’s
shoreline reached its high point of development with a strategic position on the
Salmon Bay waterway.
After annexation, there was talk of changing the name Ballard to Northwest Seattle.
With the completion of the ship canal, some wanted to call the area Canal Station.
Neither happened and happily, Ballard continues to hold on to its name and its identity.
No longer is the population heavily Scandinavian, but our hardworking ancestors built
much of the cohesiveness Ballard enjoys today. The water levels have changed and
the lumber mills are gone. Old factories have gotten face-lifts and new purpose.
The fishing industry struggles with new regulations and constraints, yet evolves.
Today in the metropolitan area of Seattle, Ballard continues to be the center of
a unique combination of manufacturing and commercial fishing industries and recreational
boating. We also boast a vibrant commercial district with unique shops, restaurants
and music venues. But the water is always there. Whether its waiting while the bridge
opens to let a ship through, watching a sailboat race off Shilshole, or enjoying
a delicious salmon dinner, water is always a part of life in Ballard. And Ballad
continues to celebrate its maritime connections
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Ballard Chamber of Commerce
2208 NW Market St.
Suite 100
Ballard, WA 98107
Tel 206 784 9705
Fax 206 783 8154
info@ballardchamber.com
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