Oregon Country pioneers Reese and Sarah J. Anderson were Hazel Dell's first settlers. Sarah named the area after a stand of filberts on their land near 78th Street and Highway 99. She also donated the land for the first school in Hazel Dell, the present site of Hazel Dell Elementary School. The name "Bear Gulch" was briefly considered by the early Hazel Dell residents.[3] Local business leaders once considered changing the name to "Basilville" in honor of enterprising merchant Basil Dhanens. With thanks, Dhanens declined the offer. He died in 1972.[4]
Hazel Dell and Minnehaha were two of the first suburban areas to be developed after World War II and were followed by Lake Shore, Felida, and Salmon Creek. Much of the housing boom in the area has subsided due to the increase of homes being built to the east of Vancouver, between Interstate 205 and Camas and Washington State Route 500/Fourth Plain Boulevard and the Columbia River.
Until the early 1970s, it was not uncommon to see horses and dairy cattle at several points along Interstate 5 and Highway 99 in Hazel Dell. Dairy production ceased and with the exception of a few small acreage farms, Hazel Dell is home to several shopping centers.
Geography
Hazel Dell runs parallel to and is bisected by Interstate 5, with access from exits 4 and 5. The community is bounded by the Vancouver city limits on the south in the vicinity of Burnt Bridge Creek, Lake Shore to the west, Salmon Creek to the north, I-205/Barberton to the northeast, and Walnut Grove to the east. Vancouver Lake is a short distance to the west of the area, and the community of Minnehaha is to the southeast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Hazel Dell CDP has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.6 km2), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), or 0.27%, is water.[1]
Arts and culture
Every third Saturday in May since 1964, Hazel Dell has hosted the "Parade of Bands". The parade route travels on Highway 99. The event was first organized and sponsored by Harvey Johnson and family who owned the demolished Steakburger Drive-in restaurant on Highway 99.[5]
Parks and recreation
Construction of Kate and Clarence LaLonde Neighborhood Park was to begin in early July 2010.[6]
Other parks located in the city include Hazel Dell Community Park, Jorgenson Park, and Tenny Creek Neighborhood Park, which was developed in 2007.
Municipal services
Law enforcement for the community of Hazel Dell is provided by the Clark County Sheriff's Office, and the local crime rate is typical for a neighborhood of its size and population density.[7] Fire Station 61 operates as part of Clark County Fire District 6 and provides firefighting services to Hazel Dell and neighboring communities.[8] Hazel Dell has its own sewer district as well.
Schools
Three elementary schools are located in the community. Hazel Dell Elementary School is a kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school located in south Hazel Dell and is part of the Vancouver School District. The school is home to the "Panthers". The current principal is Lisa Reed.[9] Sacajawea Elementary School is a kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school located within a residential area of northwest Hazel Dell, and is part of the Vancouver School District. The school is home to the "Skyhawks". Sarah J. Anderson Elementary School is a kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school located within a residential area of northeast Hazel Dell and is part of the Vancouver School District. The school is home to the "Pioneers". The current principal is Katie Arkoosh.[10]
Columbia River High School is a 9th through 12th grade high school located within the residential area of Hazel Dell. The school's moniker was formerly known as the Chieftains but the name was changed to the Rapids in 2021.[11]
^"Vancouver-Clark Washington Parks & Recreation: Greater Clark Parks District." Vancouver-Clark Washington Parks & Recreation: Greater Clark Parks District. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2010. <http://www.clarkparks.org/projects/lalonde.htm>
