Where is the Ballard Centennial Bell Tower located?

The tower is located in Marvin’s Garden at 5400 Ballard Ave NW (at the corner of 22nd Avenue Northwest and Ballard Avenue) in Ballard, Seattle.

What is the history of the bell inside the tower?

The 1,000-pound bronze bell was cast in 1892 and originally hung in Ballard's City Hall during the period when Ballard was an independent city (1890-1907). The bell was restored on April 11, 1976, as part of a U.S. Bicentennial Project.

When does the bell ring?

The bell rings hourly from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. On Sundays, it rings for a full minute at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to mark the opening and closing of the Ballard Farmers Market.

What does the tower look like?

It is a tall red-brick structure standing in the center of Marvin Gardens.

What is the significance of the tower's location?

The tower stands at the former site of Ballard's City Hall, which was destabilized by a 1965 earthquake and demolished in 1967.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Ballard Centennial Bell Tower in Seattle

What to know

The Ballard Centennial Bell Tower is a tall red-brick structure located in the heart of Old Ballard within Marvin's Garden. It stands at the former site of Ballard's City Hall, which served the community when Ballard was an independent city from 1890 to 1907. The tower was dedicated on April 22, 1989, and serves as a permanent home for a historic bronze bell that was originally cast in 1892. This 1,000-pound bell was once part of the original City Hall, but that building was destabilized by the 1965 earthquake and subsequently demolished in 1967. Before the current tower was built, the bell was restored at a ceremony on April 11, 1976, as part of a U.S. Bicentennial Project, an event attended by Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman and Sweden's King Carl Gustaf XVI. Today, the tower continues to mark time for the neighborhood. The bell rings hourly from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, using an electro-magnetic charge to strike. On Sundays, it rings for a full minute at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to signal the opening and closing of the local Ballard Farmers Market. Beyond its historical significance, the tower features a plaque that notes the dedication of the Ballard Avenue Historic District, one of Seattle's landmark districts designated by the Seattle City Council.

Visitor tips

Visit on a Sunday morning around 10 a.m. to hear the bell ring for a full minute to open the Farmers Market.
Look for the plaque on the tower that commemorates the Ballard Avenue Historic District.
Allow a few minutes to explore the small garden surrounding the tower.

Nearby context

The tower is situated at the corner of 22nd Avenue Northwest and Ballard Avenue, serving as a focal point for the heart of Old Ballard and the surrounding historic district.