Wedgwood, Schools, Soccer, and Synagogues!

Wonderful Wedgwood. The community just north of Ravenna, View Ridge and the UW was named by Al Balch, the founder of Wedgwood. His wife loved the English inspired "Wedgwood" China and they developed the community just after the great depression in 1929 when much of the area was used for Ginseng farming. Now, on any given morning you will see children walking to schools of which there are many. Although the neighborhood is a bit more spread out and doesn't have quite as much foot traffic, this, too, is changing.

My memories of Wedgwood include attending Eckstein, one of the biggest middle schools in the state, and walking to the corner Herfy's burger place for a snack and catching a bus where the bus driver would actually wait for me when I was late and running down the hill. The neighborhood is the home of many highly regarded schools, from the private University Prep, to the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School and the Seattle Jewish Community School. Connected with View Ridge, it is one of three neighborhoods in Seattle with the highest concentration of Jewish synagogues and schools. Perhaps the focus on education has something to do with the Wedgwood Seattle Public Library being the second largest and busiest libraries in the city, next to the main branch downtown.

Girls and boys soccer games are played year round at the popular Dahl Field, which is located next to the biggest public Pea Patch in the city. The field sits on what used to be a bog which was covered with houses until the homes began to sink. Extensive work was put in and the bog was refilled and is now used as a sports and recreation field. One of the oldest businesses in Wedgwood was McVicar's Hardware store on 85th and 35th NE. I remember going there as a child with my father and picking up a lawnmower and garden supplies. Now, it is the home of a popular dance studio All That Dance that has classes for children of all ages. Pet grooming is right next door at Kristi's Grooming Company.

A lovely boutique and gift shop called Fresh, is certainly that and more. Amazingly beautiful and affordable jewelry, bags, and perfect little trinkets to give as gifts or to indulge in for yourself. It is part of the newest complex on the 35th NE area, as is a Starbucks. So, fittingly, Fresh is also the name that I would put on for the new Wedgwood. It is still the comfortable, down to earth, and honest neighborhood that it always was. Just a bit more trendy and new.

Helen Toyoda

Realtor

Helen@SeattlePowerSearch.com

206.383.8182