Sehmel Homestead Park

All parks are open 7 am to dusk

Park Description

Developed areas: This 98.0-acre site is located in the North Rosedale area northwest of downtown Gig Harbor. The property includes 76.0 acres of meadow, a naturalistic pond, wetlands, and a forest conservancy area. There are 22.0 acres of active recreation with a 375-foot baseball field, two 300-foot combination baseball and softball fields, an artificial turf soccer field, two tennis courts, a basketball court, a Boundless Playground which offers recreation for children of all abilities, one picnic shelter, several picnic areas, an outdoor performing arts amphitheater, an indoor pavilion, concessions, restrooms, drinking fountains, heritage and master gardener demonstration gardens.

Trails: The park boasts about four miles of trails that wind through the forests and skirt the sports fields on the property. Learn more by downloading our Sehmel Park trails map.

Park Features

History

A Family’s Legacy

In the late 1880s, Rosedale, Washington, was being settled by many homesteading families. The Sehmel family homesteaded the land here for over 110 years and was instrumental in the development of Rosedale. Their story that follows is representative of the many pioneers who came to the homestead in Rosedale.

WLC Henry Sehmel was born in Munden, Germany, on February 2, 1857. At the age of 24, he left his home to seek his fortune in America. Two years after arriving, Henry was in California when he received word from his older brother, Charles, about homesteading in Rosedale and beautiful Puget Sound. Henry soon boarded a steamer in San Francisco and headed for Puget Sound. Upon arriving in Rosedale, Henry filed homestead papers. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered to any head of household over 21 years old 160 acres of “free land” provided they live on the land, build a home, and farm the land for five years. The only financial cost was an $18 filing fee. In 1891 after five years of hard work and sacrifice, Henry received a deed to the property signed by President Benjamin Harrison.

Henry and brother Charles encouraged their brother, Albert, to emigrate from Germany to homestead with them. Together, the three brothers owned over 520 adjacent acres in North Rosedale.

Charles’ wife, Johanna, introduced Henry to Dora Gummert, a bookkeeper in Celle, Germany. Henry and Dora corresponded for some time. Finally, Dora was convinced to come to Puget Sound and see the natural wonders for herself. In a letter to Henry, she wrote that he would recognize her at the end of her long journey because she would be carrying his most recent letter in her hand. Soon after Dora’s arrival, the couple married in 1887. Together the couple had four children: Carl, Adolph, Elsa, and Ernest. Unfortunately, only three survived to adulthood. Ernest drowned in a well at age two. Henry and Dora’s 50th wedding anniversary on November 15, 1937, was celebrated by the entire community. In addition to farming his homestead and engaging in the logging industry, Henry worked on developing the country roads in the area and supervised the development of this early infrastructure for nearly 15 years. Henry was also active in civic affairs. He served on the school board and was a prominent pioneer in Rosedale’s and the surrounding communities’ development.

Dora, Henry’s wife, was also an active participant in the community and social life. For many years, Dora served as the community’s midwife. The family also boarded the local Booster School teacher. One of these teachers was Verna Zimmerman of Puyallup, who attracted the attention of their son Adolph. Verna and Adolph later married. In addition, for many years, Dora hitched up her horse and buggy every Saturday to travel to Gig Harbor and then ferry to Tacoma to sell her eggs and farm produce and visit friends. In 1938, at the age of 81, Henry suffered a heart attack and passed away. Henry and Dora’s oldest son, Carl, never married but cared for his mother until Dora’s death in 1948 at the age of 89.

Henry and Dora’s second-oldest son, Adolph, and his wife, Verna, built a home near his parents and had three children: Doris, Elva, and Donald. Adolph and Verna were very active in local civic affairs. Like his father, Adolph served on the local school board for many years. Verna passed away in 1937. Adolph later married Ethel Truetle in 1943. The Sehmel Homestead was bequeathed to Adolph’s son, Donald, and his wife, Mary Ellen. Donald and Mary Ellen raised their children on the family homestead. Donald owned a drug store in Gig Harbor. Mary Ellen was a gardener who nurtured a Christmas tree farm on the property and also cultivated an extensive rhododendron collection with over 100 varieties.

From then to now: Preserving history and open space

Over 100 years later, 98 acres remained of the original Sehmel Family Homestead. Pierce County Parks and Recreation purchased the land in 2002. Donald and Mary Ellen’s son, Bill, was instrumental in developing the family homestead into the Sehmel Homestead Park.

County Conservation Futures funds provided funding, Washington State’s Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC), and numerous private individuals and organizations. With the public’s participation, this park was created to provide active recreation for the community and take advantage of the site’s natural beauty and rich family history. As you explore and enjoy the park, remember Henry’s pioneering spirit, Dora’s horse and buggy trips to Tacoma, Verna’s adventurous will, and the lives of four generations of the Sehmel family. They lived here for over 110 years.

Park Rules

Download Park Use Regulations (PDF)
Download Leash Regulations (PDF)

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