Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend /ˈtaʊnzənd/ is a city on the Quimper Peninsula in Jefferson County, Washington, United States. The population was 9,113 at the 2010 United States Census[5] and an estimated 9,704 in 2018.[6] It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County.[7] In addition to its natural scenery at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the city is 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. The Port Townsend Historic District is a U.S. National Historic Landmark District. It is also significantly drier than the surrounding region due to being in the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains, receiving only 19 inches or 480 millimeters of rain per year.

Port Townsend
City
The heart of downtown Port Townsend, seen from the water
Location of Port Townsend, Washington
Coordinates: 48°6′59″N 122°46′31″W
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyJefferson
Incorporated1851
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • City ManagerJohn Mauro
Area
 • Total7.35 sq mi (19.05 km2)
 • Land6.94 sq mi (17.98 km2)
 • Water0.41 sq mi (1.07 km2)
Elevation
131 ft (40 m)
Population
 • Total9,113
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
9,831
 • Density1,416.16/sq mi (546.75/km2)
Time zoneUTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−7 (Pacific Daylight Time)
ZIP code
98368
Area code(s)360
FIPS code53-55855
GNIS feature ID1524589[4]
Websitewww.cityofpt.us

History

The bay was originally named "Port Townshend" by Captain George Vancouver in 1792, for his friend the Marquis of Townshend. It was immediately recognized as a good safe harbor, although strong south winds and poor holding ground often make small-craft anchorage problematic off the town's waterfront.

The official European-American settlement of the city of the same name took place on April 24, 1851. American Indian tribes located in what is now Jefferson County in the mid-19th century included the Chimakum (or Chemakum), Hoh (a group of the Quileute), Klallam (or Clallam), Quinault, and Twana (the Kilcid band — Anglicized as "Quilcene").

Port Townsend is 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. Guarding the gate of Puget Sound, it would become known by its other nickname, the "Key City," a title that remains to this day.

By the late 19th century, 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. During this period, in 1888, the Port Townsend Police Department was established.

Klallam people at Port Townsend, 1859, by James G. Swan

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. Many 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. (The Milwaukee Road built a short spur to the pulpmill and barged cars over from Anacortes.)

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.[8] 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 bay is now home to Naval Magazine Indian Island, the US Navy's primary munitions-handling dock on the Pacific coast.

Since the 1970s new residents, including many retirees, have moved to town. The waterfront retail district has restaurants, services, and tourist destinations. Since 1999, the city has had an annual international film festival in September. Other cultural programming, some at Fort Worden, now a state park, includes a Wooden Boat Festival, writers' conference, playwrighting festival, and blues and jazz festivals, in addition to music, dance, and live theater performances. The town has two independent movie theaters, both upgraded by 2014 to handle digital film.

Recognition of historic status
Main article: Port Townsend Historic District

Because of the speed at which the economy declined in the 1890s and the lack of any industry to replace it, very few of the Victorian buildings were torn down or built over in the intervening period. They were essentially preserved for nearly 100 years, when the value of protecting them was appreciated and fostered. Unlike most cities in the Pacific Northwest that were ravaged by natural and man-made disasters such as fire and earthquakes, prominent examples of public, private and business buildings from nearly every period of Port Townsend's history have survived to the present day.

The Port Townsend Historic District, an area including many Victorian-era buildings, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Architecture
Bartlett House, 1883

Port Townsend is noted for its Victorian houses and significant historical buildings. The city has more than a dozen large, well-preserved buildings, including the Port Townsend Public Library (a 1913 Carnegie Library), the Federal Building (now commonly known as the city's post office), the Rose Theatre, and the Elks Lodge, which now houses Silverwater Cafe. Fort Worden, now a state park, has retained some of its pre-World War I architecture built when it was a military facility. Buildings have been adapted for other uses, including the publicly available Olympic Youth Hostel, which closed in 2011. The Jefferson County Courthouse is in a Romanesque architectural style, as popularized by Henry Hobson Richardson, with a 125-foot bell tower.

In 1976, the Downtown waterfront and parts of Uptown were designated a Registered Historic District. Later, Fort Worden (now part of Fort Worden State Park) and the City of Port Townsend were designated National Historic Landmarks.[8] The city is one of three Victorian seaports on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bell Tower

The Bell Tower on the bluff above downtown is one of two known towers of this 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.[9] The second bell tower is located in Helena, Montana, and was also used for fire alarms during the late 19th century.

Culture
Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend

The sign entering town calls Port Townsend a "Victorian Seaport and Arts Community." Port Townsend is host to several annual events such as the Port Townsend Wooden Boat festival,[10] Kinetic Skulpture Race [sic] (since 1983),[11] the Rhododendron Festival, Port Townsend Film Festival, and the annual blues and jazz festival.

Boating and maritime life are central elements in this port town, with regattas, weekly races, and a multitude of recreational opportunities, including annual boating events such as the Race to Alaska and Seventy48. The marine trades industry is an anchor economic driver for the community, with highly skilled, world-renowned tradespeople. The port is home to many classic wooden boats, and gets visits from owners of others seeking repairs. The Northwest Maritime Center is located in on the waterfront, and features a wooden boat shop. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has facilities on a pier on the Fort Worden State Park beach.

Reflecting the numerous artists in the area, downtown has many galleries and two artists' collectives.[12] The nonprofit Northwind Arts Center (founded in 2002) is located in the 1885 Waterman & Katz Building downtown. There is a monthly Art Walk, and a plethora of classes, workshops, and training are available locally. The history museum is also downtown.

Since 1999, Port Townsend has held an annual international film festival in September. The Rose Theatre[13] downtown shows contemporary American and foreign films. The Uptown Theater shows family-oriented films, and a nearby drive-in theater is open during the summer. Key City Public Theatre is the local playhouse presenting many award-winning productions and Shakespeare in the Park in the summer.

Fort Worden State Park is home to a number of cultural organizations and venues. Centrum is a culture and arts organization that hosts a multitude of concerts, festivals, and workshops. These include "Fiddle Tunes", blues, jazz, voice, chamber music, and more. Copper Canyon Press, the poetry press, is located here, as are facilities for Goddard College, Madrona Mindbody Institute, Peninsula College, and the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. In late October and November 1981, Fort Worden was the central filming location for the 1982 movie An Officer And A Gentleman starring Richard Gere. Starting August 24, 2019, Fort Worden will also host a new music festival called "Thing", created by Adam Zacks.[14]

The Port Townsend Aero Museum is located at the local airport. Port Townsend has two dance schools for children and adults. The city is also home to Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra.

Geography
Port Townsend, Admiralty Inlet and Port Townsend Bay

Port Townsend is located at 48°6′59″N 122°46′31″W (48.116514, -122.775254),[15] on the Quimper Peninsula which extends out of 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). The city and its surroundings are well-treed, with large Douglas fir dominant over many other tree species in the remaining wooded areas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.46 square miles (24.50 km2), of which 6.98 square miles (18.08 km2) are land and 2.48 square miles (6.42 km2), or 26.22%, are water.[5]

Climate

Port Townsend has a moderate Mediterranean climate with damp, chilly (though not severe) winters and warm, dry summers. It lies in the Olympic rain shadow and receives an average of only 19.04 inches (483.6 mm) annual precipitation. However, the environment is not as dry as the mean yearly total would suggest; cool breezes and fog from the Juan de Fuca Strait provide a comfortable level of humidity.

Climate data for Port Townsend, Washington
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 62
(17)		 65
(18)		 74
(23)		 76
(24)		 89
(32)		 93
(34)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 89
(32)		 76
(24)		 68
(20)		 67
(19)		 100
(38)
Average high °F (°C) 46.4
(8.0)		 48.6
(9.2)		 52.4
(11.3)		 57.4
(14.1)		 62.9
(17.2)		 67.7
(19.8)		 72.6
(22.6)		 73.1
(22.8)		 68.1
(20.1)		 58.0
(14.4)		 49.9
(9.9)		 45.0
(7.2)		 58.5
(14.7)
Average low °F (°C) 38.8
(3.8)		 38.4
(3.6)		 40.5
(4.7)		 42.9
(6.1)		 46.9
(8.3)		 50.4
(10.2)		 53.1
(11.7)		 53.3
(11.8)		 50.6
(10.3)		 46.2
(7.9)		 41.5
(5.3)		 37.7
(3.2)		 45.0
(7.2)
Record low °F (°C) 5
(−15)		 7
(−14)		 19
(−7)		 27
(−3)		 23
(−5)		 33
(1)		 23
(−5)		 37
(3)		 30
(−1)		 22
(−6)		 12
(−11)		 5
(−15)		 5
(−15)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.25
(57)		 1.48
(38)		 1.67
(42)		 1.46
(37)		 1.68
(43)		 1.28
(33)		 0.75
(19)		 0.65
(17)		 1.02
(26)		 1.61
(41)		 2.73
(69)		 2.46
(62)		 19.04
(484)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 0.9
(2.3)		 0.6
(1.5)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0.4
(1.0)		 0.4
(1.0)		 2.4
(6.05)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 16 12.4 14.5 12.6 11.6 9.7 5.8 5.3 7.5 12 17 16.1 140.5
Source 1: WRCC[16]
Source 2: NCDC[17]

Economy

The largest private employer is the Port Townsend Paper Mill.[18] The largest employer overall (private and public) is Jefferson Healthcare, which operates Jefferson Healthcare Hospital.[19] Major industries include maritime trades, manufacturing, tourism, and timber.[20]

Education

Public education in the city is administered by Port Townsend School District, which includes Salish Coast Elementary School, Blue Heron Middle School and Port Townsend High School.

Private schools in the city include Olympic Range Carden Academy, and Swan School.[21]

Adult education opportunities are available at Fort Worden through Goddard College, Peninsula College, Centrum Foundation, Port Townsend School of the Arts, and the Port Townsend School of Woodworking.

Transportation

State Route 20 runs southwest from Port Townsend 13 miles (21 km) to U.S. Route 101 at Discovery Bay. Port Angeles is 47 miles (76 km) west of Port Townsend by highway, and Bremerton is 48 miles (77 km) to the south. In addition to road links, the city is accessible via the Washington State Ferries system, which has a route from Port Townsend to Coupeville on Whidbey Island.[22]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880917—
18904,558397.1%
19003,443−24.5%
19104,18121.4%
19202,847−31.9%
19303,97939.8%
19404,68317.7%
19506,88847.1%
19605,074−26.3%
19705,2413.3%
19806,06715.8%
19907,00115.4%
20008,33419.0%
20109,1139.3%
2019 (est.)9,831[3]7.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[23]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 9,113 people, 4,544 households, and 2,322 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,305.6 inhabitants per square mile (504.1/km2). There were 5,193 housing units at an average density of 744.0 per square mile (287.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.4% White, 0.5% African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 4,544 households, of which 19.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.9% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.98 and the average family size was 2.60.

The median age in the city was 53 years. 16.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 36.7% were from 45 to 64; and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census

According to the 2000 census, there were 8,334 people, 3,917 households and 2,201 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,191.8 people per square mile (460.3/km2). There were 4,250 housing units at an average density of 607.8 per square mile (234.8/km2). 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 people of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 3,917 households, 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. 205 of these households were on the waiting list of the Housing Choice Voucher Program as of 2003.

Age distribution was 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 household income was $34,536, and the median family income 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.

Media

Notable people

Sister city

Port Townsend is twinned with Ichikawa, Hyōgo, Japan. A group of local students participate in an exchange with this city during the summer.

According to the Washington State Lieutenant Governor's website,[30] Port Townsend also has a sister city relationship with Jalapa, Nicaragua, though the city's website[31] does not reflect this.

See also

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Washington: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019". United States Census Bureau. May 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "Port Townsend". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  5. "QuickFacts: Port Townsend City, Washington". U.S. Census Bureau.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. St. George, Peter. "Fort Worden History". SaintImages. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  9. Notes from Jefferson County Historical Society
  10. "Wooden Boat Festival - Port Townsend, WA". Woodenboat.org. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  11. Port Townsend Bay Kinectic Skulpture Race, retrieved December 29, 2012
  12. Port Townsend Art Galleries
  13. Rosetheatre.com
  14. Zosha Millman (April 15, 2019). "A brand new music Thing: Sasquatch founder launches new Washington music festival". Seattle P-I.
  15. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  16. "PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON (456678): Period of Record Monthly Climate Summary". Western Regional Climate Center. 2010. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  17. "Port Townsend, Washington Normals Monthly Station Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  18. McClary, Daryl C. "Jefferson County -- Thumbnail History". History Ink. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  19. Bermant, Charlie (September 14, 2010). "Hospital's new CEO highest paid public official in Jefferson County". The Peninsula Daily News. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  20. "Community Resources". PTguide. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  21. Schools located in Port Townsend, WA, Ludlow Bay Realty, retrieved November 20, 2013
  22. "Whidbey Island Route Map". Washington State Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  23. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  24. "Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader - Port Townsend, Jefferson County & Olympic Peninsula's news website - Port Townsend, WA". Ptleader.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  25. "Local Sports, Shopping, Dining, Lodging, Medical, Jobs, Homes, Cars, Classifieds, Obituaries, Services for Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim, Forks, Jefferson County, Clallam County, Washington". Peninsula Daily News. July 13, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  26. "Author Lectures on "The Boys in the Boat" in Port Townsend on Friday". Peninsula Daily News. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  27. "Burbank of "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" calls Port Townsend home". Port Townsend Leader. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  28. "Marvin G. Shields". Vvmf.org.
  29. Carman, Michael (September 29, 2016). "Outdoors: Port Townsend native Whittaker follows his own path". Peninsula Daily News. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  30. "Sister Relationships". Ltgov.wa.gov. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  31. "Where In The World". Cityofpt.us. Archived from the original on January 29, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2017.

Further reading
  • Naylor, Elaine (2014). Frontier Boosters: Port Townsend and the Culture of Development in the American West. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN 978-0-7735-4367-6.
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