Scoop: Permanent Record

The Ballard resident who wouldn't budge is the subject of an unconventional memorial

Edith Macefield died in 2008, but her memory is etched in permanent ink on the arms of a growing posse of Seattleites. The octogenarian Ballard resident made national news in October 2007 when she stood her ground against commercial development (and a $1 million offer), refusing to vacate her modest two-bedroom home to make room for the Ballard Blocks complex on NW 46th Street. Her house now stands sandwiched between the towering concrete walls built tightly around it. It’s a striking illustration of old Seattle vs. new—and it turns out to make for a cool tattoo. A slew of Ballardites (who self-mockingly proclaim themselves “Edith Macefield’s Army”) are getting the image of Macefield’s home tattooed on their bodies. Curtis James, owner of Ballard’s Anchor Tattoo, has imprinted the emblem on 25 arms to date. He sees it as more of a neighborhood tribute—both to Macefield and to old Ballard—than a protest. “It’s a good way to hold onto old Ballard,” he says.