“Chickens and cleared land, that’s what Alderwood Manor offered.” Those words echoed in the dreams of hopeful families. Alderwood Manor was once a thriving community. It sat between Seattle and Everett. Today, we explore its fascinating past.
Alderwood Manor began as an idea to ease the tax burden. The Puget Mill Company owned logged-off lands. They sought to transform this land into a planned community. In 1917, Alderwood Manor was born.
The company established a 30-acre Demonstration Farm. It featured a hatchery, gardens, and orchards. This farm showcased the possibilities of rural life. Potential residents arrived by the Interurban Railway. They came from across the United States and Canada. The farm demonstrated how to raise chickens on five acres. Soon Alderwood Manor became a major egg producer.
For over 20 years, Alderwood Manor flourished. Then, the 1930s brought change. The Great Depression caused egg prices to plummet. Families sold their chicken ranches. The Puget Mill Company closed the Demonstration Farm. It sold most of the land as one-acre ranchettes. In 1939, the Interurban Railway stopped running.
Highway 99 was completed in 1927. It ran a few miles west of Alderwood Manor’s town center. This new highway spurred development around it. Alderwood Manor began to evolve.
In 1959, the City of Lynnwood was incorporated. Interstate 5 followed a few years later. An election to incorporate Alderwood Manor as its own city failed in the 1960s. Eventually, Alderwood Manor Town Center was annexed to Lynnwood.
Over time, farms were subdivided. Alderwood Manor largely became part of Lynnwood. Lynnwood is now home to over 33,000 residents. The Alderwood Mall, Lynnwood’s largest tourist attraction, opened in 1979.
Few signs of old Alderwood Manor remain. Lynnwood’s Heritage Park preserves some history. It includes the Wickers Building. This building served as Alderwood’s main store and post office from 1919 to the 1960s. Car 55 of the Interurban is also there. The old Masonic Temple is the only original building still standing. Some private homes also remain in the area.
Alderwood Manor shaped the region we see today. It was a unique experiment. It turned logged-off land into a vibrant community. While much has changed, the spirit of Alderwood Manor lives on. Its legacy is a testament to innovation and community.