CROATIANS HONORED IN OLD TOWN

 

A sculpture memorializes turn-of-the-century Croatian immigrants. The proud fisherman held a fat salmon aloft. He and his wife greeted each other with bronze smiles. Their meeting was unveiled Sunday, November 4, 2002, during a celebration in Tacoma's Old Town. The Croatian couple, wrought by Tacoma sculptor, Larry Anderson, stands in front of the Slavonian Hall at 2304 North 30th Street, Tacoma, Washington. The sculpture, called "Ribarski Pripovijest" (Fish Story) was commissioned by the Slavonian American Benevolent Society to commemorate the lives of turn-of-the-century Croatian immigrants in Tacoma. "Awesome," said Steve Joyce, who lives near the hall and counts himself among the members of the Old Town Croatian community. "It's about time; the Croatians, have made quite an impact on Tacoma. Finally, we have a visible thing." Croatian immigrants were among the first settlers in Old Town, and they built a thriving fishing village. Some of their descendants stil live in the area, and belong to the society founded in 1901. The sculpture was commissioned last year during the group's centennial celebration. Society members raised more than $112,000 to erect it. It provides another local example of Anderson's work -- other pieces of his are on display at Wright Park, Union Station, the University of Puget Sound, and Fireman's Park. A parade of children in Croatian garb led a procession to the veiled statue, and a host of dignitaries spoke before the unveiling. They included Frank Brozovich, honorary consul for the Republic of Croatia. Brozovich's title is honorary because there is no Croatian consulate in Seattle, where he lives. But he appears at ceremonial functions such as the unveiling and speaks on behalf of the Croatian community. The sculpture represents the "spirit of family, faith, and country," he said. Tacoma Mayor, Bill Baarsma, discussed the Slavonian Hall's importance to early immigrants, calling it "a beacon for newer immigrants -- a place where someone would know the name they carried on a crumpled piece of paper." Anderson's voice quavered as he said the ceremony felt like a homecoming. He said the sculpture took five models, including his wife, Sharilyn, who provides "impromptu parts" when needed. (Sleasman 2002)