Historic map discovery shows why Scandinavians feel at home in Seattle (Kirkland: insurance, university)

[homesinseattle]

Article link here: https://www.myballard.com/2020/12/02...me-in-seattle/

"A local researcher has uncovered a map that may help explain why so many Scandinavians chose to settle in the Puget Sound region.

David Williams, a local geologist and author, came across the below map created by G. E. Kastengren, a local insurance surveyor, and published in the Seattle Times in 1916. It shows a map of northern Europe, superimposed on a map of Seattle. As Williams shared on his website, Kastengren believed that the similarities might explain why, “so many Scandinavians have been content to make the Puget Sound country their own.”

Here’s more from Williams:

For example, Norway and Sweden align with Ballard and points north and the U-District and points north. The Gulf of Bothnia, which separates Finland from the rest of Scandinavia, fits pretty well with the northern end of Lake Washington. To the south, Elliott Bay stands in for the straits separating Denmark from its northern neighbors. Kastengren even points out how the University of Washington matches Uppsala University and how Sweden’s largest port, Gothenberg corresponds with downtown Seattle’s big port facility for the Northern Pacific RR. You can also see how the old city boundary of 85th Street runs along what would be the north 61st degree of latitude".

The map has been circulating on Twitter the last few days, with some interesting observations: one person pointed out that Finn Hill just north of Kirkland matches up with where Finland lies on the superimposed map.

[tommy64]

....spooky.

[rjshae]

The mountains, fir trees, and many fjords and islands probably feel like home as well. But then why didn't more settle in Alaska?

[tommy64]

Originally Posted by rjshae

The mountains, fir trees, and many fjords and islands probably feel like home as well. But then why didn't more settle in Alaska?

Alaska is for Eskimos, not Scandinavians. Then again, there seem to be a large population of Scandinavians in Minnesota/Dakota's.

My grandfather immigrated from Sweden to North Dakota in the late 1800's. He came out here years later to work on ships. I don't think there is a Scandinavian connection in his case.

[pnwguy2]

Yes, Seattle has a strong Scandinavian influence. My grandmother on my mother's side was Scandinavian. I do think the climate might have had something to do with it, but perhaps the job opportunities was really the pull for this population. BTW, Scandinavia is quite a bit further north than Seattle. Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, are both at 59 degrees north, compared to Seattle's 47 degrees north. Oslo and Stockholm are closer to the latitude of Anchorage (61 degrees north), than Seattle. Even Copenhagen, Denmark is 55 degrees north.

[rjshae]

Originally Posted by tommy64

Alaska is for Eskimos, not Scandinavians. Then again, there seem to be a large population of Scandinavians in Minnesota/Dakota's.

My grandfather immigrated from Sweden to North Dakota in the late 1800's. He came out here years later to work on ships. I don't think there is a Scandinavian connection in his case.

I guess you've never heard of Narvik.

[nuggznsauce]

So cool! I love the Scandinavian influence in Seattle, one of the top things I miss since moving to California. Byen Bakeri in Queen Anne was my lifesaver in college and

My grandmother would take me to the old Nordic Museum for different get togethers with her old Ballard friends. We would always take a visit to Larsens and it was just so perfect to me. Later on I became best friends with a girl and her family had immigrated from Sweden; they definitely felt right at home quickly.

[grega94]

Originally Posted by tommy64

Alaska is for Eskimos, not Scandinavians. Then again, there seem to be a large population of Scandinavians in Minnesota/Dakota's.

My grandfather immigrated from Sweden to North Dakota in the late 1800's. He came out here years later to work on ships. I don't think there is a Scandinavian connection in his case.

I get you are making a joke, but SE Alaska is pretty good analog to Norway, particularly the western coast.

Norway
Bergen: https://www.google.com/maps/@60.3838...7i16384!8i8192
Trondheim: https://www.google.com/maps/@63.4342...7i16384!8i8192
Stavanger: https://www.google.com/maps/@58.9765...7i16384!8i8192

SE Alaska
Juneau: https://www.google.com/maps/@58.2988...7i13312!8i6656
Sitka: https://www.google.com/maps/@57.0478...7i13312!8i6656
Ketchikan: https://www.google.com/maps/@55.3505...7i13312!8i6656

But ultimately the Puget sound has a much better climate than SE Alaska.

[Botev1912]

The Puget Sound also has a much better climate than Sweden, Norway and Denmark. I have been to all of these countries in July and it feels more like early May in Seattle than summer.

[tommy64]

Originally Posted by rjshae

I guess you've never heard of Narvik.

....who's she? <hah!>