The Ballard bell tower’s brass historic marker is missing

Meghan Walker Ballard

Update: Councilmember Dan Strauss’s recently passed budget proposal included allocating funds for replacing the bronze marker and the missing plaque from Marvin’s Garden, which was also recently stolen.

We’ll update with more details as we learn when the marker will be replaced, and whether it will be created with something other than bronze, given the recent spate of bronze theft in Seattle.

Original: The historic marker on the floor of the Ballard bell tower at Marvin’s Garden (22nd Avenue NW and Ballard Ave NW) was stolen recently, and a group of concerned residents are asking for help.

The Ballard Centennial Bell Tower bronze marker went missing in mid-October. In an email to the Seattle Parks Department, Councilmember Dan Strauss’s office, and the Ballard Alliance, Anthony Salazar and Laura Cooper appealed for help to replace it.

Rachel Schulkin from Seattle Parks tells My Ballard that they’ve seen an uptick in bronze theft recently. Beacon Hill’s Dr. Jose Rizal Park lost four bronze plaques and a time capsule from the pedestal beneath the bust of the park’s heroic Filipino namesake. And in the University District, thieves stole the life-size bronze depiction of Hiroshima bombing survivor Sadako Sasaki at Peace Park.

“It is our desire to see the plaques restored, however, we have to first determine if there is a better alternative material that would be less attractive to theft,” Schulkin said.

As a temporary fix, Salazar, Cooper and others plan to use concrete to fill the hole. Salazar says the Ballard Historical Society still has the previous work order for the marker and design which Salazar and Cooper say could be replicated. The estimated cost of replacing the marker is $10,000.

“We are hoping to create a temporary fix, and look forward to working with Ballard and city leaders to find a long-term solution,” Salazar wrote in an email to My Ballard.

Featured photo of marker: Historical Marker Database/Kathy Ann Bugajsky

Other photos: Anthony Salazar