Members of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission joined Wedge residents and property owners yesterday on a walking tour of a proposed historic district for the neighborhood.

Last year, the Tacoma Wedge Association Historic Subcommittee submitted an application to the city’s historic preservation office seeking historic district designation for the area. According to the application, the Wedge neighborhood includes 67 residential homes built between 1889 and 1928, and homes boast a range of architectural styles, such as Victorian, Craftsman, Foursquare, Dutch Colonial, and Cape Cod. The neighborhood — which stretches from Sixth Avenue to Division Avenue, and L Street to Sprague Avenue — boasts more than five dozen homes dating back 80 years and more. It’s also where Tacoma pioneer Aaron Titlow, candy company entrepreneurs Frank and Ethel Mars, and Titanic survivor Anne Kincaid resided. And its ringed by Wright Park, the North Slope Historic District, and many of the city’s oldest churches.

Yesterday’s walking tour was part of a process that began in September to determine whether the landmarks commission should recommend approval of the nomination. The area is bordered by MultiCare Health System’s expansive campus. Hospital officials have said they do not want their properties — including four heritage homes — included in the district. The commission is expected to make a final decision in July.

During the walking tour, Commissioner Caroline T. Swope pointed out some notable homes in the area, including the Titlow mansion, the former residence of Titanic survivor Kincaid, and a cottage designed by the late architect Silas Nelson.

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For additional photos from yesterday’s walking tour, visit the Index’s blog at http://i.feedtacoma.com/TDI-Reporters-Notebook/

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For additional Index coverage of the Wedge historic district proposal, click on the following links:

1. Will Tacoma’s Wedge neighborhood go historic? (09/05/08) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1318920&more=0

2. A Slice of History: Two meetings will explore Wedge historic district nomination (09/23/08) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1355266&more=0

3. MultiCare, Wedge residents discuss hospital expansion, historic district effort (10/02/08) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1385425&more=0

4. MultiCare weighs in on Wedge historic district nomination (02/09/09) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1485714&more=0

5. Big decision ahead for proposed Wedge historic district (02/11/09) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1487900&more=0

6. New timeline for Wedge historic district review (02/18/09) — http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1491340&more=0