Aegviidu was first mentioned as Aegwid in 1796 on Livonian map, drawn by count Ludwig August Mellin. In the 18th century Aegviidu was the location of Lehtse Manor's cattle and hunting manor named Charlottenhof. In 1820 the baron of Lehtse Manor established a coaching inn to serve the mail coaches on the Piibe Road, which was back then the main road connecting the cities Tallinn and Tartu. The building is now used as a schoolhouse. In 1870 the Tallinn–Saint Petersburg railway with a station in Aegviidu was opened. The railway brought a growth in the population. Many summer cottages were built in the nearby woods. In 1896 a church was built. In the beginning of the 20th century a post office, pharmacy and a store were opened. In 1926 Aegviidu gained a summering borough rights after which it became a popular summering place. 1937–1938 a tourist centre was built on the shore of Lake Purgatsi in the southeastern part of Aegviidu in Nelijärve. The development of the settlement slowed down after the World War II when Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union. The main employers were involved in the forest management. Aegviidu gained the borough (alev) rights in 1945. After the rein dependence of Estonia in 1991, Aegviidu was given the rights of a municipality
