Author says Ballard is 'credible hero'

Early Ballard

Images of America

By Julie D. Pheasant-Albright

Arcadia Publishing, 2007

Softbound

$19.99, 128 pages

By Ariele M. Huff

May 29, 1906: Ballard was swallowed whole by Seattle, but refused to be digested.

That's the theme of Early Ballard, a recently released book in the Images of America series. In spite of its 200 photos, this book isn't just a stroll through a really good grandma album. Fourth generation Ballardite Julie D. Pheasant-Albright has applied her creative writing degree to erecting an archetypal tale - with all the right story parts in all the right places and the populace as main character.

Ballard makes a credible hero - hard working, resourceful, pious but fun-loving, courageous in the face of obstacles, and loyal to the point of stubbornness.

With a nod to Joseph Campbell (Hero with a Thousand Faces) and Christopher Vogler (The Writer's Journey) for catchphrases: Early Ballard starts with the call to adventure in a special new world - 1852, settlers arrive and co-exist peacefully with their allies the Shilshole-amish, a part of the Duwamish tribe. Captain Ballard wins a coin toss in 1882 and answers the call, turning what was seemingly valueless land into a 300 percent profit by 1890, equaling crossing the first threshold as the area becomes incorporated, a town unto itself.

Tests and enemies then arose in the form of fires and crimes. Enter the mentors, police and fire departments, perhaps especially long-bearded chief of police George Stratton.

The second threshold - approach to the inmost cave - has the chapters appropriately cover "Locks and Bridges" and "Ballard Avenue," both about movement to and around the newly born village.

That brings us to the ordeal. The Seattle fire of 1889 crowned Ballard the "Shingle Capital of the World."

Further rewards were "Shipbuilding, Fishing, and Messing About in Boats," a prosperous page turning back to Scandinavian roots.

The road back to ordinary world - normalization - was accomplished through educating those little hopes for the future at "Public Schools, Parochial Schools, and the Peanut College."

The next story twist and third threshold had Seattle playing the trickster, annexing Ballard against its will, withholding water as the final convincer. Resurrection naturally came through "Fraternal Organizations and Churches" that buoyed spirits and kept loyalties strong.

Returning with this elixir to live what they'd learned "From Pigsties to Parades, and From Cradles to Graves," proud Ballardites kept their kinship vibrant by working, praying, and celebrating together as one of the more tightly knit communities anywhere on the globe.

In this short period of time (really only from the 1882 coin toss to 1906's devouring - 24 years), fortunes were made, a busy city was developed, and a heart that has never failed to cease was set beating.

Add a slide show to sagas like the Norse Edda or epics like the Celtic Tain and you've got Early Ballard, drawing the reader through the story of the beginnings of a district, a neighborhood, but one that never forgets its beginnings, one that still has not completely assimilated.

Ariele M. Huff is a Seattle writer/editor/writing teacher with Ballard roots who can be reached at ariele@att.net.