Seattle’s Fremont

The Center of the Universe

Marion L. Head

Seattle is made up of distinctive neighborhood, each with their own distinctive personality. None has a more distinctive personality then Fremont, the self proclaimed Center of the Universe.

Imagine a place where it is still the mid 1960’s and tie dye is still in fashion. Men have long braided hair and women still know where to find batik, ankle length skirts. Some of the residents of Fremont really are hippies that have never quite grown up and the younger ones, well they are just wanna bes and darned good at it. After all, Fremont’s official motto is “Freedom to be Peculiar”.

First and foremost in any visit to Fremont is the public art. Well, kind of public because the thirty foot statue of Vladimir Lenin direct from the USSR is for sale for a mere $150,000. But until some one coughs up the cash you are more than welcome to pose for a picture with it.

And then there are the five figures on Fremont Avenue and 34th, “Waiting for the Interurban”. They are indeed waiting and the thing that is unpredictable is how they’ll be dressed on any given day. It’s sort of a hobby in Fremont to dress the statues and the only rule is first come, first served.

Underneath the Aurora Bridge a must see is the Fremont troll that is munching a Volkswagen Beetle. Sorry, no pictures here because the troll belongs to the Fremont Arts Council and can not be reproduced. Suffice to say, it is very large and rather cute in a trollish sort of way.

Oh, and the 53 foot Cold War era rocket? It’s on the roof of a building at 35th and Evanston and, fortunately, there is sign nearby that explains what its doing there—other than this is, after all, Fremont.

Fremont has other reasons to visit like a killer Farmer’s Market that is open every Sunday. And it is not just a bunch of farmer’s selling organic produce, although they are there, it is also a combination street fair and flea market. You never know what you’ll find from homemade chocolates or jewelry to used shoes and vicious looking swords. The vendors vary from week to week assuring there is never a dull moment.

Fremont has some really cool shops, about what you would expect from a neighborhood of old hippies--like a couple record shops. Yes, vinyl, not CDs. The vintage clothing shops also rock. Dig around and you can find great Hawaiian shirts, a cool father boa, or, perhaps, a nice gold bikini.

Should you have the desire to taste a few Seattle microbrews, drop into Brouwers where they have 50 beers on tap and 100 different bottled beers. For dinner, try Costas Opa for great Greek food and live belly dancing--and who doesn’t love a little live belly dancing with their baklava?

Fremont is definitely peculiar and proud of it but that’s why it’s so much fun to visit. Drop by any time, soak in the aura and you’ll just feel better about the world in general. And you’ll be back.

Photos by Nancy Williams