Information about the City of Edgewood, WA

A Little History 

     Edgewood can be traced back to the late 1800's in which Washington's first major telegraph line paralleled Military Road and ran down the heart of Edgewood. The first known building on the North Hill was a one room log School District 27. The teacher, Mrs. Morris, is thought to have named the area "Edgewood" after hertown back east in Maryland.

     In the early 1900's, the Seattle to Tacoma Interurban Railway was formed and ran right through Edgewood. This was very important to the development of our city and has been researched recently in an attempt to maintain it's historical significance and give some direction to the new Interurban Trail section that will be created through Edgewood in the next few years. This current research was compiled into a lengthy paper that is posted on the City of Edgewood website (click here to read it). NOTE: It's a big file that takes a while to load. If you don't have high speed access, you may get frustrated.

     Peter Nyholm, a Denmark native, purchased 40 acres in Edgewood and moved here in 1895. His ranch become one of the finest hay, fruits, vegetables and dairy producers in the area. Nyholm opened a store in 1912 and called it the Grange Store. His land was also the site of one of Edgewood's first landmarks--the windmill. This windmill was moved from it's original location in the 1970's to it's current location at 24th and Meridian.  Edgewood became its own city in February of 1996 and elected the first City Council and Terry Faherty was appointed as the first mayor.

 

Current

     The City of Edgewood currently makes up about 9 square miles and is home to just over 10,000 people. There are currently three parks within the city, Edgemont Park (11001 24th Street East), Nelson Nature Park (2228 118th Ave East) and Nelson Farm Park (11912 18th Ave East). There are four elementary schools (Edgewood, Hilltop, Northwood, and Hedden) and one junior high school (Edgemont) within the city. Youth sports are very active in Edgewood with programs run through both FME Sports and the Puyallup Rec Center.

For more information about the community, check out the City of Edgewood's community information page by clicking here.

 

Future Plans

     There are exciting plans in the works for Edgewood. Below are some projections and projects in the works.

  • Population projections for Edgewood in the next 20 years based on Pierce County estimates and their County Wide Planning Policy is 13,700 which is a significant increase from the current number. We will probably see some interesting and creative housing options within the next 20 years in our city.

  • The Town Center at 24th and Meridian with an "artist's colony" or "Gilman Village" feel.

  • The Interurban Trail that will stretch from Milton on the west side to the City of Pacific on the east side. It will run up Jovita hill, cut over to Military Road and Enchanted Parkway, through Milton then back down toward Freeman Road. (Brochure) Two potential park sites and trailheads are planned for 114th and the Interurban Trail and also Freeman Road and 25th Street East.

  • Eighteen acre park at 36th and Meridian with ball fields and other recreational activities.

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