Though the dark, wood exterior is worn from the passage of time, the Brooklake Community Center was the last puzzle piece in a spread of land locked in the past.

City officials and community members alike envision its future as much more than simply preservation.

The city wants to get funding to restore the building and turn it into an interpretive center, providing education on the history of the area and environmental sciences. Currently, Brooklake is used as an event hall, also hosting different classes and card game clubs, said Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell.

The Brooklake property is located on the corner of South 356th Street and Pacific Highway South, adjoining the West Hylebos Wetlands Park. The city came into ownership of the property in March of 2014.

The past: Wild and kind of free

Brooklake’s most infamous period began in 1929, when Mabel Vaughn purchased the property. Vaughn immediately hired contractors and began construction on the Wagon Wheel Inn. The construction period lasted until about 1934, though the inn was open for business in the early 1930s, said Dick Caster, research specialist for the historical society.

In August, after the city acquired the property, Caster began work on a history of the Brooklake property — an ongoing project made challenging by a lack of primary sources, he said.

The Wagon Wheel Inn was rumored to have been a speakeasy and brothel, Caster said. In 1935 the inn was let to Rickey Ruffo and converted to Rickey’s Club, which continued to build a shady reputation for illegal alcohol — despite the end of Prohibition in 1933 — as well as gambling and prostitution, he noted.

In 1939 an injunction was filed and King County permanently closed the “attractive nuisance,” Caster said.

“Nobody ever gave this place a good reputation,” he said.

The property was idle until the Brooklake Community Center formed and purchased the property in 1943. The community center allowed other clubs, including the Brooklake Community Club, to use the building.

Despite its wild history, the building has also been considered the place where Federal Way began. In 1943 it became the first community center. It was also home to the first library and the site of the first water, sewer and fire districts for the area.

The journey: How the city finally got the property

Federal Way resident Bob Kellogg served as a board member for the property in the early 1990s, working to ensure preservation for the building.

During this time, he suggested the board turn the property over to the city. The city was interested, but when the vote was taken, barely a majority voted in favor of city-ownership. The board needed a super-majority to make such a decision, Kellogg said.

It was disappointing because of all the opportunities and potential Brooklake had, Kellogg said.

“Everything kind of sprouted from that community,” he said. “I thought it was worth saving.”

The fight did not end there, however, and Jerry Knutzen, vice president of the Historical Society of Federal Way, was able to help mediate the donation of the property in 2014.

The property was donated by Wendell Kueker on two conditions: The preservation of the historic building and recognition for the longtime caretakers Vern and Vera Frease, Ferrell said. The city also accepted $13,000 in outstanding taxes when it took over ownership.

“Now it’s my job to make the plans to make sure we really honor our heritage,” Ferrell said.

The mayor plans to involve as many community partners as possible in the project.

The future: Preserving history, promoting learning

Knutzen would like to see Brooklake turned into a kind of community museum, where the history of what is now Federal Way can be preserved, he said. The historical society has artifacts that could be displayed in such a museum.

The society also has the content and ability to put together some short videos that could share local history, he said.

“We want to make sure it doesn’t all get lost,” Knutzen said.

Both Ferrell and Knutzen agree Brooklake also has potential as a kind of environmental science exhibit or learning center.

Kellogg always thought the building would make a marvelous nature center, and an environmental science exhibit aligns with Kellogg’s long-time vision.

The Hylebos Wetlands adjoining the property is a small corner of Federal Way’s history that has been preserved and would enhance any kind of learning center located at Brooklake, Knutzen said.

“I’d like to see this designated as a historical landmark,” Ferrell said. To be a historic landmark, the original building must be preserved, which the city plans to do anyway, Ferrell said. There is, however, some differing of opinion on whether to keep the dance hall — a 1950s addition to the original clubhouse building.

Applications will start at a local level, in King County, then, perhaps, move to a state level. The city hopes to begin this process later in the year, Ferrell said. The next step will be to draw up formal plans and a funding plan. The city can turn its full attention toward Brooklake once it launches its latest project, Town Square Park, in June, Ferrell said.

Though historic landmark designation is not essential, Ferrell hopes gaining it will open opportunity for grants from the county and state to contribute to the preservation.

The building, as it currently stands, is not in danger of immediate ruin, Knutzen said. Careful thought and planning is more important than speed, at the moment.

“It’s important to have a plan,” he said.

In five or 10 years the Brooklake property could be an attraction that draws people to Federal Way and even a field trip destination for other school districts, Knutzen said.