Wedgwood

Located in northeast Seattle, Wedgwood’s development was born from the wartime housing boom. At this time Al Balch, a descendant of a New England settler, purchased the land and, possibly in tribute to his eastern roots, built the homes in the Cape Cod style. Each home is unique, the properties are generous, and the neighborhood is continually growing with families.

Even before Balch’s development, Wedgwood was known for the Wedgwood Rock, a glacial erratic formed more than 14,000 years ago by the Vashon Glacier. The Native Americans used the rock as a landmark, and later it was used as a destination for picnics and climbers. Now, the rock is located outside of Wedgwood on 28^th Ave NE, near NE 72^nd Street in Bryant/Ravenna.

Dahl Playfield is a large park on the western edge of the neighborhood. There are new play structures, swings, and ball fields. During the summer Seattle Parks and Recreation fills a wading pool on warm days. Nearby the playfield is Seattle’s first and oldest P-Patch, a community garden. Before the real estate development, there were many small farms. One of these was owned by the Picardo family, and the name is a tribute to them.

The modest shopping district along NE 35^th includes many popular restaurants and stores. Meet a friend for drinks at the Wedgwood Ale House, and you’ll run into your neighbors. The Wedgwood Broiler is a throw back to the neighborhood’s 1950s beginnings; the food is simple and delicious. Fiddler’s Inn offers live music. Eat at Black Pearl for fresh Chinese food, or go to Grateful Bread and Javasti for a quick bite and coffee.

Along 35^th you’ll also find gift shops, hair salons, dry cleaners, banks, grocery stores, a post office, a seasonal fruit stand, and one of top rated 8 Limbs Yoga Centers’ locations—each symbols of a the small town in the city community that Wedgwood has become.

There are many options for schools in this area. Wedgwood Elementary and the alternative school Thornton Creek are two K-5 options for Seattle Public Schools. University Prep, one of Seattle’s leading preparatory schools, enrolls students for grades 6-12. And, Our Lady of the Lake Parish School is a popular Catholic school for preschool and grades K-8.