The Fremont Troll - Seattle's Mysterious Resident

In the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington, a curious resident claims the shadows beneath Aurora Bridge …. 

Those who dare to venture below the bridge- more accurately, those that survive to tell the tale - speak of his sheer size, stern gaze and possessive nature… 

But few can tell you the reason for his residency … and that, my friends is a story worth telling. 

This is the story of the Fremont Troll 



In depth: 

What if a single piece of public art could encapsulate the history, culture, and spirit of an entire neighborhood? Join us as we explore the captivating tale of Seattle's Fremont Troll. Beginning with the nostalgic Norwegian folklore of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," we unravel how this story inspired the creation of the 18-foot, 13,000-pound sculpture that has since become an icon of the Fremont neighborhood. 

Wander with us through Fremont's vibrant streets—teeming with artists, students, and tech professionals—and witness firsthand the community's deep connection to this monumental troll.

Trolloween:

https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween

Song about the Fremont Troll (by Chicago the band - Majungas)

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-fremont-troll/1276333443?i=1276333444



Works Cited:

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/a-brief-history-of-the-fremont-troll-a-menace-that-evokes-a-smile/

https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location

https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/type0122e.html

https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/All-About-the-Seattle-Fremont-Troll-and-How-to-Find-It

https://wedgwoodinseattlehistory.com/2015/05/01/history-of-the-fremont-neighborhood-in-seattle/

https://historylink.org/File/1320

https://visitseattle.org/neighborhoods/fremont-wallingford/

https://fremontartscouncil.org/trolloween

https://seattle.curbed.com/2019/6/4/18650083/fremont-bridge-troll-history-location

https://themonumentous.com/exploring-the-economic-and-cultural-impact-of-the-fremont-troll/

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

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Transcript

The Fremont Troll - Seattle’s Mysterious Resident 

In the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington, a curious resident claims the shadows beneath Aurora Bridge …. 

Those who dare to venture below the bridge- more accurately, those that survive to tell the tale - speak of his sheer size, stern gaze and possessive nature… 

But few can tell you the reason for his residency … and that, my friends is a story worth telling. 

This is the story of the Fremont Troll 

-

Our fable begins with a children’s story - “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”

It is the primary inspiration for the trolls residency in the dark under the bridge; It’s a Norwegian tale first translated into English in 1859.

 In the event you’ve not heard this story - let me refresh your memory:

-

Once upon a time there were three billy goats, who were to go up to the hillside to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was "Gruff."

On the way up was a bridge over a cascading stream they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly troll , with eyes as big as 

saucers, and a nose as long as a poker.

So first of all came the youngest Billy Goat Gruff to cross the bridge.

"Trip, trap, trip, trap! " went the bridge.

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll .

"Oh, it is only I, the tiniest Billy Goat Gruff , and I'm going up to the hillside to make myself fat," said the billy goat, with such a small voice.

"Now, I'm coming to gobble you up," said the troll.

"Oh, no! pray don't take me. I'm too little, that I am," said the billy goat. "Wait a bit till the second Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."

"Well, be off with you," said the troll.

A little while after came the second Billy Goat Gruff to cross the bridge.

Trip, trap, trip, trap, trip, trap, went the bridge.

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll.

"Oh, it's the second Billy Goat Gruff , and I'm going up to the hillside to make myself fat," said the billy goat, who hadn't such a small voice.

"Now I'm coming to gobble you up," said the troll.

"Oh, no! Don't take me. Wait a little till the big Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."

"Very well! Be off with you," said the troll.

But just then up came the big Billy Goat Gruff.

Trip, trap, trip, trap, trip, trap! went the bridge, for the billy goat was so heavy that the bridge creaked and groaned under him.

"Who's that tramping over my bridge?" roared the troll.

"It's I! The big Billy Goat Gruff ," said the billy goat, who had an ugly hoarse voice of his own.

"Now I 'm coming to gobble you up," roared the troll.

-

“Well, come along! I've got two spears,

 And I'll poke your eyeballs out at your ears;

 I've got besides two curling-stones,

 And I'll crush you to bits, body and bones.”

-

That was what the big billy goat said. And then he flew at the troll, and poked his eyes out with his horns, and crushed him to bits, body and 

bones, and tossed him out into the cascade, and after that he went up to the hillside. There the billy goats got so fat they were scarcely able to 

walk home again. And if the fat hasn't fallen off them, why, they're still fat; and so,

Snip, snap, snout.

 This tale's told out.

-

Again, this is the tale that inspired the sculpting of the 18 foot, 13,000 pound Fremont Troll. 

But what’s the context? Why the Fremont neighborhood? And what other events and circumstances prompted the trolls creation? 

Noodles and I investigate. 

-

Audio #1

I’m in the van and have driven past and around the troll 5 times now … 

Was not expecting it, but the Fremont troll’s popular, haha… 

Parking is filled for blocks upon blocks in the tight slanted streets of Seattles Fremont, neighborhood. 

I’ve had a day to take in this area of Seattle specifically, now popular with artists, students, and young professionals largely but not entirely  in the tech industry… 

But it wasn’t always this way … 

In fact, the story of Fremont itself is as intimately tied with the sculpting of the troll as the story that inspired it … 

Alright, I do need to focus and find a parking space, haha … 

Here’s to hoping … 

-

Fremont is founded as a land development located along a body of water that links Lake Washington - eventually - to the Pacific Oceans… 

The neighborhood was - at its inception - entirely separate from Seattle … it dealt with its own issue; maintained it’s own separate identity. 

To foster the area’s development early on, two outside investors collaborate with Seattle locals to further develop the site… 

The investors names: Edward and Carrie Blewett … 

Their town of origin: Fremont, Nebraska … the namesake for the trolls future neighborhood… 

There efforts to spark development in the neighborhood are successful.

In 1891 the town is annexed to Seattle, bridges are built , a successful saw mill thrives, canals  are dug, and locks fostering the transport of goods are finished… 

The Fremont area is associated for decades with their successful sawmill, plentiful warehouses and a general population of working class folks… 

But, growth and progress can only be maintained for so long … 

Construction of the George Washington Bridge (most commonly referred to as the Aurora bridge) in 1932, marks a slow decline in economic growth in Fremont. 

The saw mill closes, rail and trolly services loose popularity and cease service to the area and the neighborhood develops a reputation as hazardous or otherwise unstable… 

Until that is, the 1960’s baby, when low rents  - brought about by this reputation - attract students, artists and those looking generally to distance themselves from the commotion of the city. 

For decades this trend continues - this influx of young artists and similar minds - Sunday flea markets are organized, events planned and a growing sense of Fremont frivolity and community seeps into the identity of the nieghborhood across the water. 

-

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll.

Change comes often and fast … 

In the 80’s and 90’s, a tech boom in the city explodes … companies look for space … and Fremont, with it’s low cost of living and room for development begins to look incredibly attractive to companies like Adobe systems who move around 500 employees across the water into a 300,000 square foot building on the canal. 

Other tech companies follow, tempted again by low rent and the promise of space - this in turn boosts local businesses, invites visitors from downtown and elsewhere and  … predictably increases rent … 

What happens then to these artists, students and longtime residence of Fremont? 

-

"Now I'm coming to gobble you up," said the troll.

-

Audio #2 

We found parking, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the statue …. 

More than anything I’m surprised how popular the troll is … 

Each time I drove past - trying to find parking - crowds were taking photos, walking to and from the troll and the reason I couldn’t find parking isn’t because of the neighborhood itself or surrounding businesses …. It’s the troll! 

Nearly every nearby car is here to visit the troll …. 

And this brings us to my next question - knowing the rough context of the neighborhood - what prompted the creation of the troll in the first place? Both in general and then specifically under the Aurora bridge …. 

At least it’s a nice day out, we don’t mind walking do we Noodles? 

-

Of course, there is resistance by longtime residents to increasing rent and the influx of businesses … 

And so - the copious amount of artists in the neighborhood - partly in response to encroaching tech companies and party to reclaim the sense of Fremont community and artistry - create the Fremont Arts Council in 1979 … 

The idea of this council is to commission and create art in the Fremont neighborhood that will solidity a sense of community - a collective focal point … 

Projects like “Waiting for the Interurban”, an aluminum sculpture of six people waiting for an old streetcar, are created - acknowledging the neighborhoods past while providing points of interest in the present. 

That’s the idea. 

And these commissions often focus on areas that required attention - one of these areas, is a space beneath the Aurora Bridge - a location long littered with garbage, exposed needles and otherwise completely ignored. 

There is a growing sense at the time - because this area under the bridge is located in the heart of a residential area -  and very visible - that something has to be done. 

-

On the way up was a bridge over a cascading stream they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly troll , with eyes as big as 

saucers, and a nose as long as a poker.

To clean up the area under the Aurora Bridge, the Fremont Art Council organize an art competition - hundreds of designs are submitted - and the winner is to be picked - and this is important - by popular vote. 

The neighborhood itself will choose what to do with the space…  

An idea put forth by Sculptor Steve Badanes, and four artists wins the vote. 

It’s decided; the area under the Aurora Bridge will house a concrete troll inspired by a children’s fairy tale … 

The end result - made possible by three months of work by Steve, the artists, an endless stream of local volunteers and a $20,000 grant (won by the Fremont Art Council from Seattle - who had recently started the Neighborhood Matching Fund),  -  is a new resident chosen by Fremont itself.

-

A single shiny metal eye looks out across the water, messy hair frames a contorted face, one of two gangly gargantuan hands crushes a Volkswagen - there he lies beneath the bridge, watching, waiting …. 

Of all the options submitted - why did the community itself - choose the troll? 

#3 

The trolls in from of me - 

People are walking up to touch him, climbing on his head ….

It’s deceptively big, even driving past it you don’t realize how long this would have taken and the scale of it … 

What strikes me most is where the trolls looking …. Right across the water to downtown …. 

To answer the question, you know - why was this built, why did the community choose the troll - I think you only have to listen to one fact … 

From 1988 to 1990 real estate values doubled in Fremont - The Fremont Troll was completed in 1990… 

The answer then, lies, where we started … with a children’s tale… 

-

"Well, be off with you," said the troll.

-

On its surface, “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” is a story about Greed. 

If you continually want more and more in the end you’ll be worse off … you’ll never be satisfied.

The troll could have easily gone after the first sheep - or the second … 

And so, The Fremont Troll - made during a time of rapid change and uncertainty is both a caution against greed and a warning to those always looking for “the next thing”, the newest development … 

At the same time, the Troll transformed a neglected area, is visited by thousands and is intimately associated with the neighborhood of Fremont.. 

The troll then, both initiates change and warns against its easy rushed implementation …. 

Although it’s based on a children’s story - simple morals against greed -  of wanting more - the troll at it’s core seems to be promoting mindful moderation … thoughtful change, compassionate change … if you desire more, think about the implications of getting it.

The new businesses and young professionals now exist in collaboration with the artistic legacy of the neighborhood - each aspect of the community cohabitates above the looming troll beneath the bridge …

The troll who - warns against greed - who looks out across the water warning those that would mindlessly exploit the neighborhood, definitely… 

But also, The Troll - replacing an old garbage heap - exists as a physical testament to the power of positive, thoughtful change… 

The next time you drive above the Aurora Bridge to or from the storied neighborhood of Fremont, 

Know that it’s Troll lies stoically beneath; eyes across the waters - Fremont itself to its back ….