Inset-Anchor On Alki

Anchored in time, the Inset-Anchor on Alki whispers tales of Seattle’s maritime past. Here on Alki Beach, where the first white settlers landed in 1851, this artwork isn’t just a pretty sight. It’s a portal to a bygone era. The Inset-Anchor itself is a salvaged piece of maritime history, pulled from the depths by the Northwest Dive Club. It stands as a testament to the many ships that have sailed these waters, some meeting their fate beneath the waves. The Inset-Anchor is part of the larger Alki/Duwamish Cultural Trail. This trail, a collaborative effort by artist Donald Fels and Native American artists Joe Fedderson and Jaune Quick-to-see Smith, weaves a tapestry of art and history along the shoreline. Completed in 2004 to commemorate Seattle’s 150th anniversary, the trail connects us to the area’s rich past. Imagine the year is 1950. Children’s laughter fills the air as they splash and play around the log rafts bobbing just off the beach. These rafts, a beloved feature of Alki Beach, offered a platform for swimmers to dive and soak up the sun. Bob Hallberg, a West Seattle resident, fondly recalled these rafts as a central part of his childhood. But alas, the rafts eventually disappeared, victims of concerns about safety at low tide. Ada Hallberg, another resident, remembered the community’s fight to bring back the rafts, a testament to their importance to the community. While the rafts may be gone, their memory lives on, just like the stories held within the Inset-Anchor. As you stand here, looking out at the Puget Sound, let your imagination drift back to those days of laughter and splashing. The Inset-Anchor, a silent sentinel, connects us to those memories, reminding us of the vibrant history that shapes this place.