Hidden within Lynnwood’s Heritage Park stands the Superintendent’s Cottage. It whispers tales of a bygone era, a time when this tranquil space was a bustling hub of agricultural innovation. The Superintendent’s Cottage wasn’t always here. It originally stood as part of the Puget Mill Company’s Demonstration Farm, established in 1917. This 33-acre farm showcased the potential of the Alderwood Manor area, attracting prospective settlers with its promise of a thriving agricultural community. The Superintendent’s Cottage served as the nerve center of this operation, overseeing the farm’s activities and showcasing its modern amenities, including an underground electrical system connected to the Interurban Railway.
The Demonstration Farm was a marvel of its time, complete with poultry houses, a massive incubator, orchards, and vegetable gardens. The Superintendent’s Cottage, equipped with its modern electrical system, symbolized the progressive nature of the project. Visitors would disembark from the Interurban Railway and tour the farm, marveling at the poultry houses that could hatch 55,000 chicks every 21 days. They’d stroll through the orchards and gardens, envisioning a life of rural prosperity. The Superintendent’s Cottage stood as a testament to this dream, a tangible representation of the comfortable life that awaited settlers in Alderwood Manor.
The farm thrived for a time, becoming a significant egg producer, second only to Petaluma, California. But the Great Depression brought hard times, and the farm eventually closed in 1933. The Superintendent’s Cottage, along with the water tower, stood as silent witnesses to the changing fortunes of Alderwood Manor. As time marched on and Interstate 5 sliced through the former farm, these structures faced demolition. But they were rescued by the Lynnwood-Alderwood Manor Heritage Association in 1997. The Superintendent’s Cottage was carefully relocated to Heritage Park and meticulously restored.
Today, the Superintendent’s Cottage serves as the Heritage Resource Center. It offers a glimpse into the past, housing rotating exhibits, archives of photographs, and historical documents that tell the story of Alderwood Manor. Inside the Superintendent’s Cottage, you can explore the history of this unique community. You can delve into the lives of the families who settled here, their dreams of agricultural success, and the challenges they faced. The cottage, once a symbol of innovation and progress, now serves as a repository of memories, preserving the legacy of a time when this park was a bustling farm. The Superintendent’s Cottage stands as a reminder of Alderwood Manor’s vibrant history, a testament to the enduring spirit of a community that once thrived on this land.