Tigard

 (ZIP CODES:  97223, 97224, and 97281)

This bedroom community of Portland is situated conveniently close to I-5 and Highway 217 along the stretches of 99W.  I-5 leads you north and south and within 20 minutes of Portland and 45 minutes to Salem.  Highway 99W is the old highway that leads you to Oregon’s coastal communites to the west or across the river to the eastside of the big City of Portland.

Tigard is rich in history not unlike many other small towns in Oregon and started as a rural farming community.   Situated in the Willamette Valley, Tigard was originally settled by several families, the most noteworthy of which was the Tigard family, headed by Wilson M. Tigard.  Arriving in the area known as “East Butte” in 1852, the family settled and became involved in organizing and building the East Butte School, a general store (which started in 1886 housed the area’s post office) and a meeting hall, and renamed East Butte to “Tigardville”. The Evangelical organization built the Emanuel Evangelical Church at the foot of Bull Mountain, south of the Tigard store in 1886. A blacksmith shop was opened in the 1890s by John Gaarde across from the Tigard Store, and in 1896 a new E. Butte school was opened to handle the growth the community was experiencing from an incoming wave of German settlers.  The period between 1907 and 1910 marked a rapid acceleration in growth as Main Street blossomed with the construction of several new commercial buildings, Germania Hall (a two-story building featuring a restaurant, grocery store, dance hall, and rooms to rent), a shop/post office, and a livery stable. Limited telephone service began in 1908.

In 1910, the arrival of the Oregon Electric Railway triggered the development of Main Street and pushed Tigardville from being merely a small farming community into a period of growth which would lead to its incorporation as a city in 1961. The town was renamed Tigard by the railroad to greater distinguish it from the nearby Wilsonville, and the focus of the town reoriented northeast towards the new rail stop as growth accelerated.  1911 marked the introduction of electricity, as the Tualatin Valley Electric company joined Tigard to a service grid with Sherwood and Tualatin. William Ariss built a blacksmith shop on Main Street in 1912 that eventually evolved into a modern service station. In the 1930s the streets and walks of Main Street were finally paved, and another school established to accommodate growth.

As of July 2008, Tigard had 48, 713 residents occupying 10.9 sq. miles and is comprised of three zip codes-97223, 97224, and 97281.   It is a community full of close-knit, family-oriented neighborhoods and tons of shopping choices.  A true suburb, Tigard offers many comfortable older homes in beautiful condition, along with great condos and many newer housing developments as well.

As with many small towns across the U.S., Tigard’s Main Street has cute antique shops and coffee shops. Main Street’s identity as Tigard’s center dates from the construction of an electric commuter train line in 1910. Rapid growth occurred around Main Street in Tigardville (as it was then known). Many commercial buildings were constructed which housed such businesses as restaurants, grocery stores, a dance hall, a blacksmith and a livery stable. Several historical photos show the way things used to look on Main Street.  In 1940, an overpass for the Pacific Highway (99W) was built just north of Main Street. Much of Tigard’s new development moved away from Main Street and towards commercial strips along Pacific Highway and elsewhere.

Several public and private golf courses, city parks, tennis courts, bike paths and the Tigard High School Swim Center make Tigard a great place for the outdoor enthusiasts and kids.  In January, 2009, WES (Westside Express Service) came to Tigard. 

Tigard Amenities

Cook Park

Where is Cook Park? 17005 SW 92nd Avenue, Tigard, OR — Cook Park is located near Tigard High School, south of Durham Road at the end of 92nd Avenue.

Cook Park is a 79 acre park bordered on the south by the Tualatin River and has much to offer.

You’ll find a multi-use sports field that can be used for soccer, little league baseball and softball. It also offers a playground, horseshoe pits, fishing dock, small boat ramp, several walking trails, bike paths and picnic shelters containing barbeque pits and picnic tables. The picnic shelters can be reserved for special events.

Cook Park’s river location provides easy access for canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and many miles of scenic waterways. There’s also a 4-acre wetland with a viewing gazebo, and a butterfly garden.

Cook Park is also host to the annual Tigard Festival of Balloons in July. Enjoy watching the balloons take off, carnival rides, festival foods and live music.

Art and culture exist in Tigard as well the Broadway Rose Theatre  is a popular venue and one I’ve been to many times.   The Broadway Rose brings to the community what no other theater can – extraordinary musicals, the breadth and talent of which rival national Broadway tours.  It is situated adjacent to Tigard High School.  There are many movie complexes in Tigard, but check out the 1939 Art Deco theatre – the Joy Theatre next time.  A real neighborhood movie house.

Tigard boasts two shopping centers – Bridgeport Village in Tigard is one of the hottest new shopping areas and has become a “destination” center.  Another well known shopping center is Washington Sq. Mall . 

There are lots of local events and Tigard attractions  throughout the year such as Tigard’s Festival of Balloons, Farmers’ Markets, summer concerts, movies in the park, parades and so much more not to mention the outdoor opportunities.  If you’re new to Tigard here is specifc utility and government agency phone numbers to assist in your move. Here’s the link to the City of Tigard’s monthly community newsletter – CITYSCAPE - with all the latest Tigard information.

Schools

The Tigard-Tualatin school district has a great schools and access to outdoor amenities.  Tigard High School sits adjacent to a large field for soccer and football, Tigard’s Swim Center and Cook Park.   Fowler Jr. High School is adjacent to the Fanno Creek area consisting of Fanno Creek and walking trails.  Among the many neighborhoods in Tigard are: Applewood Park, Kingsgate, Bonita, Bradley Woods, Bull Mountain North, Bull Mountain South, Greenburg, King City, Mountain View, Quail Hollow, Riverview, Summerfield, Tigard, and Walnut Grove to mention a few.

This is an area that I have been active in selling and listing properties for my career.  If you’re thinking of Tigard or want housing information, let me help, I’d love to be your Realtor!

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