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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 County . 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. 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. 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 .Notes from Jefferson County Historical Society 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. |
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