Fern Hill

Welcome to Fern Hill, one of Washington State's oldest communities. Early settler, visionary and prominent citizen, George W. Byrd, platted the first townsite of Fern Hill in October 1888. He was a man of sterling character who donated two acres of land for a much-needed school. In 1889, he donated more land for the community's church that still stands today. G.W. Byrd served many terms as director of the Fern Hill School. His legacy of community pride is still honored in what is now the Fern Hill Historic Business District. Once the Fern Hill area was platted, many new business owners and residents settled here.
	The early community included a diverse number of churches, the Fern Hill School, and many surrounding farms blessed with rich soils. In order to travel the seven miles from Fern Hill to Tacoma, people rode a little steam engine that pulled one passenger car along a narrow gauge track. It was a well traveled route and most times it was standing room only with passengers
even standing on the outside steps or sitting on top of the car. Fern Hill was unique then and it still is unique today. The neighborhood is rich in community resources with neighborhood schools, a post office, a library, and historic buildings which
take one back to an earlier time and place. Come visit and see the dedicated monuments and turn of the century structures, then listen to the fascinating stories passed on by long time residents. If you happen upon Mary in the craft shop, you will be doubly blessed with fond reminisces and stories going back many years. Fern Hill is waiting to be rediscovered by you
From your webmasters point of view, The Fern Hill District is small but well worth a visit. Over 90% of the merchants are active members in the Fern Hill Merchant Association with one goal in mind, and that is to build upon the rich historic legacy passed on to them by the original settlers and merchants. If you happen to be in the area, be sure to set aside some time to take the walking tour through the Fern Hill Historic district.
Information presented here courtesy of the Fern Hill Historic Business District, a partnership of local business, property owners and public organizations which care both about the area's historic past as well as its future. For more information please write c/o PO Box 12175, Tacoma, WA 98412 For information on being listed in the Fern Hill Directory, contact Linda Howell at Linda's books