Port Townsend, Washington
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Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 8,334 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson CountyGR6. In addition to its natural scenery at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the city is also known for the many Victorian buildings remaining from its late 19th-century heyday, numerous annual cultural events, and as a maritime center for independent boatbuilders and related industries and crafts.
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[edit] History
Originally named 'Port Townshend' by Captain George Vancouver (for his friend the Marquis of Townshend) in 1792, Port Townsend was immediately recognized as a good, safe harbor, which it remains to this day. The official settlement of the city took place on the 24th of April, 1851. American Indian tribes located in what is now Jefferson County in the mid-19th century included the Chemakum (or Chimacum), Hoh (a group of the Quileute), Klallam (or Clallam), Quinault and Twana (the Kilcid band — Anglicized: Quilcene).
Port Townsend is also called the "City of Dreams" because of the early speculation that the city would be the largest harbor on the west coast of the United States.
By the late 1800s Port Townsend was a well-known seaport, very active and banking on the future. Many homes and buildings were built during that time, with most of the architecture ornate Victorian.
Railroads were built to reach more areas in the 1870-1890s and Port Townsend was to be the northwest extension of the rail lines. Its port was large and frequented by overseas vessels, so shipping of goods and timber from the area was a major part of the economy. Much of the buildings were built on the speculation that Port Townsend would become a booming shipping port and major city. When the depression hit, those plans lost the capital to continue and rail lines ended on the east side of Puget Sound, mainly in Tumwater, Tacoma and Seattle. With the other Puget Sound ports growing in size, Port Townsend saw a rapid decline in population when the Northern Pacific Railroad failed to connect the city to the eastern Puget Sound city of Tacoma. By the late 1890s the boom was over. Without the railroad to spur economic growth, the town shrank and investors looked elsewhere to make a good return.
Many people left the area and many buildings were abandoned. Port Townsend's economy was very weak until the 1920s when a paper mill was built on the edge of the town. The town experienced a renaissance beginning in the 1970s as new residents, including many retirees, moved to town. Because of the speed at which the economy fell in the 1890s and the non-existence of any industry or economy to replace it, none of the Victorian buildings were torn down or built over in the intervening period. They were in essence preserved as time capsules for the next 100 years when the value of keeping them intact was appreciated and fostered.
Over the decades that followed, Port Townsend maintained its economic stability in a variety of ways, including the development of artillery fortifications at Fort Worden. Currently, it is most famous economically for the enormously successful Jazz Workshop that is held there every Summer. As part of the workshop, famous Jazz musicians play all week in the Port Townsend clubs and bars, drawing many tourists to the area. Miraculously, despite playing to tourism, the buildings and homes of the city's first boom remained largely intact.
[edit] Architecture
Port Townsend is noted for a vast collection of Victorian homes and significant historical buildings. The city has more than a dozen larger buildings that are well preserved, including the Carnegie Library, the Federal Building (now commonly known simply as the city's post office), the Rose Theatre and the Elks Lodge, which now houses Silverwater Cafe.
In 1976, the Downtown waterfront and parts of Uptown were designated a national historic district. Later, Fort Worden (now part of Fort Worden State Park) and the City of Port Townsend were designated national landmarks. The city is further recognized as one of only three Victorian seaports on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Bell Tower on the bluff above downtown is the only known tower of its type in the United States. It was used from 1890 to the 1940s to call volunteer firefighters. It was restored in 2003 by the Jefferson County Historical Society.[1]
[edit] Culture
The sign entering town calls Port Townsend a Victorian Seaport and Arts Community. By and large Port Townsend proclaims itself to be an artist haven, downtown there are many galleries and two artist collectives Gallery Guide- PT Guide. There is a strong monthly Arts Walk and a plethora of classes, workshop and trainings. Port Townsend is host to several annual events such as the Kinetic Skulpture Race) that are both artistic and a good chance to blow off steam. This small town is a lovely place to visit and a difficult place to live in because food/gas/housing often outpaces income, it is not uncommon for people to have several jobs at once.
The Rose Theatre is a cinema downtown which shows contemporary American and foreign films.
Centrum is a culture and art organization that hosts a multitude of workshops at Fort Worden State Park.
[edit] Geography
Port Townsend is located at (48.116514, -122.775254)GR1. It is situated at the extreme northeastern end of the Olympic Peninsula, on the north end of a large, semi-protected bay. Port Townsend is adjacent to the Admiralty Inlet and a trio of State Parks built on retired artillery installations (Fort Worden, Fort Casey, and Fort Flagler).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.5 km² (9.4 mi²). 18.1 km² (7.0 mi²) of it is land and 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²) of it (26.03%) is water.
In addition to road links to the south and west, Port Townsend is accessible via ferry from the Washington State Ferry system, which links Port Townsend with the Keystone ferry terminal on Whidbey Island, on the east side of Puget Sound.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 8,334 people, 3,917 households, and 2,201 families residing in the city. The population density was 460.3/km² (1,191.8/mi²). There were 4,250 housing units at an average density of 234.8/km² (607.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.27% White, 0.58% African American, 1.25% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.
There were 3,917 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.67.
In the city the population was spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 32.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 85.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,536, and the median income for a family was $47,027. Males had a median income of $38,013 versus $27,753 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,395. About 8.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Port Townsend operates with a Council/Manager form of government. Administrative offices are located in the recently renovated City Hall Building on Water Street in downtown Port Townsend.
[edit] Sister city
Port Townsend is twinned with Ichikawa in Japan. A group of local students participate in an exchange with this city during the summer.
[edit] References
- ^ Notes from Jefferson County Historical Society
[edit] External links
- Guide to Port Townsend: http://www.ptguide.com/
- Live cam of the ferry terminal: http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/webcam/FerryCam.htm
- Washington State Ferries: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
- Port Townsend Then and Now: http://porttownsendthenandnow.com/
- University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections – The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum A web-based museum showcasing aspects of the rich history and culture of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula communities. Features cultural exhibits, curriculum packets and a searchable archive of over 12,000 items that includes historical photographs, audio recordings, videos, maps, diaries, reports and other documents.
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
