Old Edgewater Fire truck in the lobby
Our small community of Edgewater is in a state of rapid change with new homes being built and redevelopment of major properties around town. In 2019 we will finally see the redevelopment of the old King Soopers property at 20th and Depew. We will also see the redevelopment of the old fire station, police station and library at 25th and Gray. Driving along Sheridan will look different as Joyride Brewing completes their rooftop bar and redevelopment is possible at the former Edgewater City Hall at 24th and Sheridan.
As I walked through the beautiful new Edgewater Library and Civic Center, I had a hard time believing I was in Edgewater. It just didn’t look like the Edgewater I have come to love. But City of Edgewater staff did a great job bringing along key artifacts of Edgewater’s past into the new building. The first thing that jumps out at you in the new Civic Center entrance is the old Edgewater Fire truck. The old neon Edgewater Fire Department sign hangs in the main lobby across from the fire truck. If you talk to folks who have lived in Edgewater for years, you will quickly learn about the importance of the Edgewater Fire Department.
As all of this redevelopment comes to our community, and historic areas of our town start to look different, I think it is important to follow the motto of the Edgewater Echo, “Listen to the past. Look to the future.” When I started the Echo in 2012, I was seeing signs of things changing in our community and knew change could leave the pillars of our community behind. One of the main reasons I started the Echo was to tell stories of Edgewater’s past.
So as I begin to look to 2019, and the changes that will come with it, I am committed to telling the stories of Edgewater’s past. Stories from Jimmy and Denise McKenna, Pauline York, Nelson and Bonnie McNulty, Connie Fox, Bill Bossert and many more. These folks have seen many changes over the last seventy years and their stories can help us understand our small community. They can offer guidance on how to navigate change and lift up the values that draw people to move to the small little town on the west side of Sloan’s Lake.
So this week as you venture into the new Edgewater Library and Civic Center, look for signs of Edgewater’s past. Pick up a book on Edgewater’s history in the library. Talk to your neighbors and ask them what they love about Edgewater.
As our community trends toward a younger demographic, it is even more important to listen to those who have lived here longer than we have.
Listen to the past. Look to the future.
Here’s some past articles on Edgewater’s past to get you started:
Santa Rides with the Edgewater Fire Department
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
Thank you for the wonderful article about the EFD. Ian LaFarge, Retired Fire Chief EFD.