December 20, 2007: William Wardwell Lewis Park Christmas Lights Hike
Join the hiking group for a Christmas lights hike to view the delightful seasonal light displays in this section of Edina, including the fabulous oak tree decorated with an estimated 106,000 lights. Edina got its name from the Edina mill, which was owned by a Scot, and was derived from Edinborough, Scotland. Edina was settled primarily by Irish immigrants in the 1850's, who settled in the Cahill Community, named for Reverend Thomas Cahill, a Roman Catholic missionary priest. The Cahill Community was known as "hard scrabble hill" for that rocky and hilly portion of then Richfield Township. Yankees and Scots are credited in particular with forming the ethnic flavor of the Edina Mill area. Irish immigrants provided a greater proportion of the initial settlers in the southwestern part of Edina, where a distinct rural farming neighborhood known as the Cahill settlement coalesced between the 1850's and 1870's. The one-room Cahill School, on the southeast corner of 70th Street and Cahill Road, was built in 1864 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Edina eventually became a village, named for the Edina Mill on Minnehaha Creek. Many Edina street names reflect the area's early Irish heritage.
If Driving: From Highway 100 in the west suburbs, take the West 70th Street exit and go west just under one mile to Cahill Road. Turn south (left) on Cahill Road and go about 1/2 mile to Lewis Park, 7300 Cahill Road. There is a parking lot for the ice rink on the right off of Cahill Road.
If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s):28; 540; 588. The closest bus service point appears to be along Antrim Road, 70th Street, or Cahill Road. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information
Interested hikers will reassemble for dessert or dinner after the hike at a nearby restaurant (TJ’s Restaurant, 7100 Amundson Avenue, just off Cahill Road).
Map to hike start point: 7300 Cahill Rd
Edina, MN 55439-2075
Specific directions for the Hike
Map of the Hike
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This page was last updated on November 25, 2007.
