Are you looking to connect more deeply with local Washington history? Look no further than Ballard for my favorite unique attraction in Seattle. Known as the house that inspired Pixar’s Up, Edith Macefield’s 123-year-old home remains a symbol of resistance to the city’s rapid development. In truth, Edith’s home likely didn’t inspire the beloved movie. Pete Docter wrote Up before she first refused to sell her house in 2006, becoming a local icon. Yet, somehow the fact that the similarities are mere coincidence makes Edith’s story all the more touching.
Despite her renown as an old woman who said "no" to big developers, we don't know much about Edith Macefield. And, given her reputation to tell fantastic and not-quite-true stories about her life, what we do know isn't always true. For certain, she called the 1,050-square-foot cottage home since 1952, and she clearly loved it very much.
Many large events in her life occurred in the house. Her mother, Alice, passed there. Edith endured a frightening burglary at gunpoint. She learned to play the saxophone and wrote short stories in the kitchen.
Edith originally bought the home for just $3,750 dollars. In 2006, she received a much larger offer. When developers began buying nearby plots for what would become the Ballard Blocks, Edith rejected a whopping $1 million dollars for her house!
The decision made her an instant local celebrity and a symbol of resistance to big money in Seattle.
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In 2008, Edith passed away at 86 years old. While her decision to remain in the cottage might have complicated development plans, she became close friends with the project's superintendent. Because of their unlikely friendship, she left the home to him.
Now visitors sometimes attach balloons to the fencing that surrounds the small building. The balloons are colorful reminders of Edith's idealism and her belief in what was worth holding onto.
Locally, Edith Macefield has become something of a Seattle legend. The Ballard neighborhood has changed rapidly in the last couple of decades, but individuals like Edith reflect Seattle's resilience.
From its bohemian counter-culture to the grunge scene of the mid-80s, Seattle's always had its share of folks unafraid to disrupt the status quo.
Visitors can combine their trip to Edith's home with a walk through the neighborhood where she lived for much of her life. Ballard has delightful shops and excellent coffee.
Some local businesses, like Secret Garden Bookshop, have served the community for many years.
A visit to Edith's home will move you. She was a dynamic and independent person who stayed true to herself despite enormous change. She wrote, "Everyone thought I would sell... I never did. Somehow this old house wrapped its age-old structure around me and hung on... I’ll never give up the contentment my Mother and I found here."
While a trip to Edith Macefield’s home may not appear in many Washington travel guides, it’s my favorite unique attraction in Seattle. Few destinations connect you more to what makes Seattle truly special. In a city with so many wonderful things to do, it remains one-of-a-kind, just like Edith. To learn more about Seattle’s historic neighborhoods, connect with a local guide. They’ll show you more of these lesser-known places.
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