Want to know all about Edgemoor in Bethesda? This very special neighborhood is found just west of downtown Bethesda and within walking distance of the metro, lots of restaurants and bars, shops and theaters, and easy access to the rest of the DC metro area. Residents may choose to enjoy the Edgemoor Club, a private swim and tennis club, and the Edgemoor Citizens Association, which sponsors events throughout the year.
Edgemoor Club History
Edgemoor was established shortly before 1920, when Walter E. Tuckerman purchased a large farm, subdivided it and reserved the central block for a sports center for the residents of the new community called Edgemoor. By 1920 Mr. Tuckerman had built two tennis courts in an open field and sold the whole block to the residents while holding the mortgage for most of the purchase money. The idea of getting an old street car for a clubhouse was abandoned, but, for that first year, residents built a small grandstand and a sturdy framework over which was stretched a shade awning. The Club initiation fee was $25 and annual dues were $15.
The Club was incorporated in 1922 with 20 resident members and an $11,000 budget to cover purchase of land, a pool and dressing rooms. A small frame clubhouse and a swimming pool (75’ x 25’) were built. Soon after, two more tennis courts, a practice backboard, bowling green and putting green were added. During 1922 and 1923 there were lady Board members, an indication already of how far ahead of the times the Edgemoor Club was.
Edgemoor hosted the first “City of Washington Tournament” in 1949. Two years later, it became a truly “open” tournament when Hal Freeman, a black American, played against John Harris, and for a number of years Edgemoor was the only private club in the Washington metropolitan area qualified to hold sanctioned tournaments. The Greater Washington Tennis Association and Middle Atlantic Championships became regular events at Edgemoor until those tournaments outgrew the club facilities. In 1952 the former North Carolina star, Clark Taylor, was hired as Edgemoor’s professional and, quoting from Bob Alden, Clark was “the individual most responsible for the brilliant surge on the national tennis scene of young players like Donald Dell, John Harris, Donald Ralph, Carol McCord, Mary Kuhn, and Andy Berger”.
The club’s most famous pro, Wimbledon champion Pauline Betz Addie, came to Edgemoor in 1955 and stayed eight years, which is a longer tenure than any other pro except for Richard McMichael (1990 to 2005) and Jim Shepard (2006-2018).
The ‘Edgemoor Dolphins’ Swim Team is a family-oriented, parent-supported swim team for children ages 5 to 18. The team is committed to providing a nurturing and fun environment where instruction, competition and exercise are balanced with family-oriented activities and team building. The team is also very competitive in the local country club league and produces excellent local swimmers each summer.
Homes in Edgemoor
Homes in Edgemoor are a mixture of small cape cods and colonials and large homes, both old and new. The tear-down trend began in the 1990s when traditional Colonials and other smaller homes were torn down to make way for large homes ranging from 4,000 to upwards of 10,000 square feet. Despite the addition of these new larger homes, Edgemoor still maintains its quiet tree lined streets and varied architecture including Mediterranean villas, English and French cottages, clapboard treasures, and exceptional contemporaries built by some of Washington’s leading architects.
What is for Sale in Edgemoor Now?
Here is what is for sale, if any, in Edgemoor. What should you do next – once you find the home of your dreams? That is simple – Just call the Lise Howe Group so we can make an appointment to see it – and really fall in love! Just call us at 240-401-5577 or email us at Lise@lisehowe.com.
