Commemorating the creation of the city, the Founder’s Monument is connected to the early days and culture that came to define Seward, Alaska. This simple monument located in Resurrection Bay provides audiences with a sense of the history and legacy that defined Seward’s past to impact the present as a gateway to Alaska’s interior.
A Terminus to the Interior of Alaska
The Founder’s Monument is topped with a weathervane that is connected to the steamer “Santa Ana” that arrived in Resurrection Bay in 1903. John Ballaine was the leader of the ship’s crew, and he would be the one to chose the site and named the town Seward. The site and community were envisioned as an essential means of connection to the interior of Alaska.
Their efforts enabled the creation of a rail terminal that remained active until the middle of the century. The party also laid out the city in a traditional grid of city blocks and wide streets, which has defined the modern setup of the Seward.
Originally a gift from a local organization, the Founder’s Monument takes the form of a rock cairn that often serves as a directional marker. A 2003 centennial make-over gift of the Founder’s Monument from Wells Fargo saw the landmark receive a face-lift as well as a new information plaque to replace the old bronze plate that details the history of Ballaine’s arrival.
This local connection highlights how the monument has become part of the community that will enable further connections between the past and future of Seward.
A Vision that Became a Reality
A quote from Ballaine on the restored plaque of the Founder’s Monument mentions Seward being envisioned as a future gateway into and out of Alaska’s great interior, which was a vision that became reality in a major way. This fulfillment is personified with the Founder’s Monument itself, providing audiences with a sense of connection that would otherwise be inaccessible or forgotten, compelling interest and attention that will continue to resonate across the eras.
