Sixteen feet tall. That’s how high the Leif Erikson Sculpture rises here at Shilshole Bay Marina. It stands as a silent sentinel watching the horizon. This Leif Erikson Sculpture depicts the Viking explorer. He braved the storm-wracked seas of the North Atlantic. He landed in North America around 1000 CE. He was also known as “Leif the Lucky”.
This sculpture is an important reminder of Seattle’s Nordic heritage. Seattle’s Scandinavian-American community is historically centered in Ballard. This neighborhood is where the Shilshole Bay Marina is located. The community is particularly strong in maritime trades.
Did you know that Shilshole Bay Marina wasn’t the first choice for the Leif Erikson Sculpture’s location? The Leif Erikson League wanted Leif to call the Seattle Center home. The city demurred fearing that city parks could be overrun with statues. The arts commission suggested Shilshole breakwater.
The Leif Erikson League conceived the Leif Erikson Sculpture. It was funded and given to the City and Port. The League wanted to celebrate generations of immigrants from Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. They hoped to create this memorial. It would be a physical representation of the history and culture of Scandinavian immigrants in the United States.
The Leif Erikson League raised over $40,000 to design the statue. This is over $350,000 in today’s money. They raised funds through dinners, dances and donations. Some committee members even took out personal loans. The Port of Seattle commission approved the request to place the statue at Shilshole Bay Marina on February 27, 1962.
August Werner designed the Leif Erikson Sculpture. He was an instructor at the University of Washington. He was a talented singer, artist and college professor. Werner recruited Trygve “Ted” Nakkerud and architect John Engan to help create the design. They often worked late fueled by coffee, songs and pastries. The statue was cast at a 4:1 ratio. The final statue stands 16 feet tall. Franco Vianello and Spero Anargyros cast the statue.
The Leif Erikson League gave the Leif Erikson Sculpture to Seattle. This gift celebrated the Century 21: Seattle World’s Fair. The Leif Erikson Sculpture was unveiled on June 17, 1962. It coincided with “Norway Day” at the World’s Fair. A Viking boat flotilla led the way. Norsemen in Viking costumes attended. The Norwegian Ambassador also made an appearance.
King Olav V of Norway visited Shilshole Bay Marina in 1968. He paid his respects to Leif Erikson. More than 1,000 people attended the ceremony at the base of the Leif Erikson Sculpture.
The pedestal was made of imported Norwegian blue granite. In 2007, the Port redeveloped the marina. They created a larger plaza for the Leif Erikson Sculpture. Moving the Leif Erikson Sculpture proved difficult. It had been fortified with 3,000 pounds of cement. It took five days to move the Viking.
The plaza is landscaped in the shape of a Viking long ship. Fourteen basalt stones surround the Leif Erikson Sculpture. They are adorned with Norse carvings. The stones also have plaques. The plaques list the names of over 2,300 Scandinavian immigrants and their home towns.
The statue is a navigational landmark. Norwegian ships salute Leif Erikson by dipping their flags. They also blow three long whistles. By mid-1963, Leif Erikson was included on maritime charts.
There are four copies of the Leif Erikson Sculpture around the world. They stand in Trondheim, Norway, Brattahlid, Greenland, and L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland.
This statue is more than just bronze and stone. The Leif Erikson Sculpture is a tribute to Seattle’s vibrant Scandinavian heritage and the adventurous spirit of Leif Erikson. Take a moment to appreciate the Leif Erikson Sculpture. Remember the stories of exploration, immigration and community it represents.