Vasa Park Resort History

In 1926, a group of Swedish immigrants living in Ballard were looking for a farm to buy to build a retirement home, learn English, and get together with fellow countrymen. They found a 36 acre farm with about 1,300 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish that even came with a one-eyed horse! The beauty of the farm in its idyllic setting was eventually purchased for $25 and became Vasa Park Resort. In 1945, following the invention of social security, members decided to convert the park into a non-profit and open the gates to the public.

In 1929 the Event Center was built to be a dance hall for the local Swedish community. In the early 1950s the Vasa Park Resort Event Center was transformed into a popular roller rink. The popularity of the space attracted alternate opportunities like becoming a concert venue used by promoter Pat O'Day. Throughout the 1960s the space hosted concerts for Conway Twitty, Ray Charles Band with Dave Lewis Combo, and Thomas and His Tomcats featuring a teenaged guitarist named Jimi Hendrix.

Vasa Park Resort remains one of the oldest private parks anywhere in the metropolitan area and has been updated to host corporate events, galas, weddings, and more!