Where to stay and
what to do in
Port Townsend
ACCOMMODATIONS
Bed and Breakfast
Cabins and Cottages
Campgrounds/RV Parks
Hotels and Motels
Vacation Rentals
--Guest Houses
--Suites and Condos
Cities and Towns of the Olympic Peninsula
Washington Travel Regions and Maps
Map
Cascade Mountains
Map
Northeast
Map
Northwest
Map
Olympic Peninsula
Map
Puget Sound
Map
San Juan Islands
Map
South Central
Map
Southeast
Map
Southwest
Olympic Peninsula Travel Region
Port Townsend, Washington
Description
The
historical circumstances that saw the boom and bust of this seaside town,
also worked to leave us with a wonderfully romantic combination of Victorian
architecture overlooking the glorious Puget Sound. During the 1800s shipping
magnates and other business speculators built grand homes and businesses. As
economic fortunes moved elsewhere, these buildings escaped subsequent
development and the downtown area is now designated a National Historic
District. Some of the historic buildings offer accommodations and/or tours,
and historic Water Street houses art galleries, antique shops, gift stores
and restaurants. The combination of architectural and natural beauty
attracts artists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
History
Port Townsend was officially settled in 1851 with dreams that the site's
good anchorage would see it become the largest harbor on the west coast. The
seaport prospered in the 1880's, when many of its superb buildings were built
and its population reached a peak of 7,000. Montana However, 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 1890's the boom
was over. Noteworthy buildings include the Carnegie Library, the US Post Office,
and The Rose Movie Theater.
Name
Originally named 'Port Townshend' by Captain George Vancouver for his
friend the Marquis of Townshend, in 1792.
|
Weather
|
The Olympic Peninsula map will help you locate cities, towns and points of interest. |
Go Northwest!
Bookstore
Best selection of books on the Northwest.
Click here!
Olympic
National Park Pocket Guide by Levi Novey. This information-packed, fully portable
book highlights key outdoor activities, flora, fauna, and history. Useful travel information to help you navigate areas in and outside the
park.
Order now...
Olympic
Mountains. by Jefferson County Historical Society. The Park was created to protect the the Olympic Mountains.
To further protect this remnant
of wild America, Congress designated 95 percent of the park as the Olympic
Wilderness. Today it is recognized as a United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
Order now...
We appreciate your orders. They help keep
Go Northwest! online.
Northwest Books
from . . .
Shopping at
Go Northwest!
