Well, it doesn't end in "ville." According to local lore, it was originally proposed that the new town being laid out be named after the founders and called Stevensonville. Frank and Mary Stevenson vetoed the idea and a railroad official suggested it be called something that didn't end in "ville" because there were so many already. A settler suggested naming the town after the "Mountain that Roared," that natives called Enumclaw, the "place of evil spirits."
Enumclaw is the nearest town to Mount Rainier National Park and as such has holds claim to being the gateway to Mount Rainier
Well, it doesn't end in "ville." According to local lore, it was originally proposed that the new town being laid out be named after the founders and called Stevensonville. Frank and Mary Stevenson vetoed the idea and a railroad official suggested it be called something that didn't end in "ville" because there were so many already. A settler suggested naming the town after the "Mountain that Roared," that natives called Enumclaw, the "place of evil spirits."
Enumclaw is the nearest town to Mount Rainier National Park and as such has holds claim to being the gateway to Mount Rainier. It's a fitting description, as just beyond Enumclaw the highway starts to climb into the Cascade Foothills on the approach to the famous volcano. The city of over 10,000 is surrounded by forest to the east and farmland to the north and west. It's still within the greater Seattle Tacoma metro area -- barely. Part outer suburb, part farm town, and part mountain gateway, it's a nice little burg with a lot to offer. You've probably heard of Mutual of Omaha, thanks in part to the television show "Wild Kingdom," but did you know there was a Mutual of Enumclaw that was actually founded 11 years earlier?
Moving to Enumclaw
Although it typically has a higher rental vacancy rate than the city of Seattle, it still falls below the national average. To land the pad of your desires, it's important to get a leg up on the competition. As soon as you know that you will be moving here, get your search started to find an apartment. Make a list of available properties and work through it methodically, eliminating those that don't match your goals or are out of your price range. When you have time on your side, you can visit several places before having to sign a lease. Be prepared to fork over money for first month, last month, and a security deposit, and have a good credit report handy. That puts the ball more in your court, meaning you can be a little choosy when looking for a house to rent in Enumclaw.
Neighborhoods
It's a town that was laid out along fairly standard grid patterns, with three highways serving as center lines. State Route 410 is the main road up to Mount Rainier to the east and Tacoma to the west, while 164 goes to Auburn and lower Seattle and 169 goes all the way to Renton.
Chinook Avenue / McFarland Park: The northwest part of town above the city center is outlined by McFarland Park on the north and Battersby Avenue to the south. Here you will find some a nice single-family house to rent, and apartment complexes where you could find three-bedroom apartments.
Griffin Avenue / Mahler Park: Griffin Avenue is also SR 164 and it meets Kibler Avenue near Mahler Park. There is a lot of newer construction here, and as you head out of town the lots get larger. Closer in there are a few duplexes, and it's also possible to find an apartment in Enumclaw here.
Downtown: Where the highways intersect there are commercial buildings, a few shops, and the occasional small rental apt complex. There is also a manufactured home park just to the south of downtown. Stop in at Sweet Necessities for an incredible coffee and great sweets.
Rainier Trails / Airport: This is another part of the community with a great deal of new construction. The small landing strip is a general aviation airport where you can park your private plane, should you have one! Rainier Trails Park has tennis and basketball court facilities nearby.
Living in Enumclaw
Living in the shadow of a volcano isn't as bad as it sounds - Mount Rainier hasn't erupted in a while, and the scenery is beautiful! You are close to all of the fun diversions the Seattle area has to offer, from professional sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners to great museums and nightlife. Here in Enumclaw you get to be close and still have the benefits of a fairly rural lifestyle. You can get some classic American grub at Rainier Bar and Grill, or go for -- well, pie, at The Pie Goddess. Get your pub fix at the Historic Mint Restaurant and Ale House too. Enumclaw is the ideal place for anyone looking to be semi-rural while still being part of one of America's premier metropolitan areas.
