Robert Keith, a logger, developed the area now known as Ledgewood Beach in 1952. He built a home for his family on Fircrest Avenue. That house became the property of the Holmes family. In 1953, Keith dedicated the roads in Ledgewood to the public and the water system to the lot owners. Three lots at the north end of Seaview Avenue and a beach parcel were dedicated as park areas. The county has responsibility for the roads and drainage. The park on Seaview is known as the Lloyd G. Wagner Community Park. Wagner was one of Ledgewood’s first residents, and he served as fire chief for the area. The old totem pole in the picnic area was carved by Lloyd Wagner.
Ledgewood Beach Community Club was incorporated on December 29, 1971. In September 1982, the Community club was renamed the Ledgewood Beach Property Owners’ Association. In August 2020 the name returned to Ledgewood Beach Community Club.
The homeowners also formed a water association to take care of the water supply. Originally, there were two water associations, one for divisions one and two, and another for division three. These two groups were combined in 1981, becoming the Municipal Water District. The district is now known as the Ledgewood Beach Water District, managed by three elected commissioners, one elected every 2 years to serve a 6 year term. Many improvements have been made over the years to upgrade the water system. In 1987, a 6-inch water line was installed on Fircrest. In 1991, a large reservoir was built on Cox Road (east of SR 525) to have high-pressure gravity feed for the system and the fire hydrants. Since then, a well has been added, bringing us to a total of three operating wells to serve Ledgewood Beach. Other planned improvements will ensure the continued excellent water quality and supply to our community.
In 1993, the Water District bought the old Firehouse at 1903 Pinecrest Avenue from the Fire District for $6,000. In 1994, community members began remodeling the building so that it could be used as a clubhouse and as a meeting place for the Water District Board and the Ledgewood Beach Community Club (LBCC) Board. The old Firehouse was renamed the Newell Firehouse in honor of Hugh Newell, a long time resident of the area. The Newell Firehouse, Wagner Park and tennis/pickleball courts are available to LBCC members and their guests for private, non-commercial functions.
On March 27, 2013 there was a massive landslide of the Ledgewood bluff area that became national and world wide news. In our typical good neighbor manner, we swiftly and generously came together to support and assist those whose homes were affected. Later that year, we were honored to receive one of the first Community Partner Awards presented by the Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue Department.
In 2019 the Newell Family restored and donated the totem pole carved by Margaret Newell to the Ledgewood Beach Community Club. A fixture for many years at their home on Fircrest Avenue, the family had it installed in front of the Firehouse, and the community celebrated its dedication.
Ledgewood Beach is a vital, connected community, nestled in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on Whidbey Island.