Photo credit: My BallardEdith Macefield is something of a folk hero among

Published 7:00 am Thursday, March 26, 2009

Photo credit: My BallardEdith Macefield is something of a folk hero among Ballardites who lament the neighborhood’s growth and quasi-gentrification. She refused a developer’s indecent proposal to sell her home, instead forcing them to build around her. Though she died during construction, her house remains.Today, My Ballard reports that a couple tattoo artists–inspired by Macefield’s defiance–have started “Edith Macefield’s Army” (they don’t take the title seriously), which is basically just people who sport tattoos of her house. So far, the army numbers 7 or 8. Now, who knows how long these soldiers have been in Ballard, but it is kinda funny how the leading edge of gentrification (artists and hipsters) often laments what follows them. Revolutions eat their young and all.While Edith’s Army sounds like a sincere attempt to honor the late Ballardite’s legacy, it does point to a real opportunity to cash in. The licensing may be tricky (or simply ignored), but if coffee shops can make money with SLUT t-shirts, why can’t we get an Edith Macefield commemorative plate?