In the middle of Ballard sits an unassuming home stripped to the bones. And while it looks decrepit and sits behind a chain-link fence, it’s story is nothing short of amazing. This is the former home of Edith Macefield, otherwise known as Seattle’s UP house.

up house seattle

Edith Macefield was a Seattle resident who lived in her 108-year-old farmhouse. Which happened to be smack dab in the middle of Ballard. But in 2006, a development company came in and purchased the land around her home. And in an attempt to have her relocate, they offered her $1 million dollars for her home. But Edith said no and that’s why this amazing little house still stands.

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So plans changed and the 5-story development known as the Ballard Blocks rose up around her. And at 84 years old she stood her ground while the world as she knew it changed forever. So while she is no longer with us, her story will live on as it is may have inspired Disney’s hit movie UP.

And while this story is quite well known in Seattle, it’s important to look back on our city’s characters and history. And Edith Macefield’s story is one that we won’t be forgetting anytime soon. So if this has piqued your interest you can listen to this podcast to learn more, or you can click here. And if you’re in Ballard stop by and pay the home a visit.JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJtb2JpbGUtYWQtb25seSUyMiUzRSUwQSUzQyUyMS0tJTIwU2VhdHRsZSUyMC0lMjBNb2JpbGUlMjAtLSUzRSUwQSUzQ2lucyUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYWRzYnlnb29nbGUlMjIlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmRpc3BsYXklM0FibG9jayUzQndpZHRoJTNBMzIwcHglM0JoZWlnaHQlM0E1MHB4JTNCJTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQlM0QlMjJjYS1wdWItNTUyMTg1Njk1NTQ5NzQ1NiUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdCUzRCUyMjE2MjcxNzI5NDclMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpbnMlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=