Port Townsend Neighborhoods
Below you will find general descriptions of our local neighborhoods. Currently there are no clear boundaries on where one neighborhood starts and where another one begins. One may say their home is located in both Morgan Hill and Uptown and be absolutely correct. However vague this may seem, there is still a general consensus amongst the locals of what to call many of our neighborhoods (see map for general idea).
Below you will find general descriptions of our local neighborhoods. Currently there are no clear boundaries on where one neighborhood starts and where another one begins. One may say their home is located in both Morgan Hill and Uptown and be absolutely correct. However vague this may seem, there is still a general consensus amongst the locals of what to call many of our neighborhoods (see map for general idea).
Downtown
From the Port of Port Townsend all the way to Point Hudson, this strip hosts a beautiful waterfront business district with specialty shops, docks and marinas, Washington State Ferry service, fabulous dining, movie theatre, real estate offices (stop by and say hi!), and upper level condo living. Home to many annual events including the very popular Wooden Boat Festival, Concerts on the Dock, car shows, regattas, and the Rhody Festival. Enjoy the gorgeous Victorian historical architecture, walk to festivities, and take in the water level views of Port Townsend Bay.
From the Port of Port Townsend all the way to Point Hudson, this strip hosts a beautiful waterfront business district with specialty shops, docks and marinas, Washington State Ferry service, fabulous dining, movie theatre, real estate offices (stop by and say hi!), and upper level condo living. Home to many annual events including the very popular Wooden Boat Festival, Concerts on the Dock, car shows, regattas, and the Rhody Festival. Enjoy the gorgeous Victorian historical architecture, walk to festivities, and take in the water level views of Port Townsend Bay.
Uptown
Just "up" from Downtown you'll find yourself in love with the Uptown neighborhood. Rich with large Victorian houses, 1940's cottages and luxury homes, it's not hard to locate a property with partial water and mountain views. Convenient living with Lawrence Street shopping including a grocery, tavern, movie theatre, restaurants, and a seasonal Saturday outdoor market that boasts fresh produce, flowers, and handcrafted wares from local artisans. Annual street fairs, parades and community gatherings will give you plenty of opportunities to meet your neighbors. You'll also find many B&B accommodations, a public tennis & basketball court, county fire department, and city recreational center. Walkable to downtown, Chetzemoka Park, Jefferson County Courthouse, Post Office and Port Townsend High School.
Just "up" from Downtown you'll find yourself in love with the Uptown neighborhood. Rich with large Victorian houses, 1940's cottages and luxury homes, it's not hard to locate a property with partial water and mountain views. Convenient living with Lawrence Street shopping including a grocery, tavern, movie theatre, restaurants, and a seasonal Saturday outdoor market that boasts fresh produce, flowers, and handcrafted wares from local artisans. Annual street fairs, parades and community gatherings will give you plenty of opportunities to meet your neighbors. You'll also find many B&B accommodations, a public tennis & basketball court, county fire department, and city recreational center. Walkable to downtown, Chetzemoka Park, Jefferson County Courthouse, Post Office and Port Townsend High School.
Morgan Hill
Just "up" from Uptown with frequent and spectacular views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. A mixed neighborhood of large Victorian homes, 1940's cottages, and luxury homes. You'll also find few B&Bs, vacation rentals and guest cottages interspersed in the neighborhoods. Many lots are between 5,000 - 10,000 sq.ft. Walkable to Sather Park, Bobby McGarraugh Park, Chetzemoka Park, Fort Worden, Uptown, Lawrence Street shopping and Downtown.
Just "up" from Uptown with frequent and spectacular views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. A mixed neighborhood of large Victorian homes, 1940's cottages, and luxury homes. You'll also find few B&Bs, vacation rentals and guest cottages interspersed in the neighborhoods. Many lots are between 5,000 - 10,000 sq.ft. Walkable to Sather Park, Bobby McGarraugh Park, Chetzemoka Park, Fort Worden, Uptown, Lawrence Street shopping and Downtown.
North Beach
From the North Beach County Park, watch the cruise boats make their way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, take in the gentle summer breezes or start your collection of beach glass. The homes in this area are generally smaller "beach homes", many with eccentric style and artistic personality. Walkable to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and to the trails of Fort Worden. |
Fowler Park
Also sometimes referred to as "Bell Street" area, this neighborhood offers a mix of open landscapes to beautifully treed properties. If you like craftsmans-style, rich Northwest hues and natural vegetation, you may find your dream home in this area of our community. On the north is the bluff and to the south is Cappy's Trails. The public trail system is pretty spectacular out here and offers many nature enthusiasts and environmentally conscientious individuals an opportunity to walk from one end of town to the other without having to walk along the roadways. |
Fort Worden
Northwest of Morgan Hill is a small community of homes that border the 434-acre multi-use park. This area is generally wooded, sloped, and has a quintessential Pacific Northwest flavor. Many homes in this area offer a mix of partial mountain, water and territorial views. One specialty community in the Fort Worden neighborhood is called the Treehouse Cottages. A pocket neighborhood that shares a landscaped commons, and offers small craftsman-style cottages rich with color, heavy trims and cozy interiors. Walkable to North Beach, Fort Worden and events hosted by Centrum. |
Happy Valley
Named "Happy Valley" by Loren Hastings, an early settler of Port Townsend, this area "stretches a three-mile swath of fertile land" (mostly running the length of San Juan Avenue to Kah Tai Lagoon). A mixed-use area featuring a 9-hole public golf course, Blue Heron Middle School, pockets of affordable housing, an organic produce market, Hastings Pond, and several churches. Centrally located this area offers walkable access to Uptown, North Beach, Castle Hill, Dundee Hill, Port of Port Townsend, Kah Tai Lagoon, Fort Worden, shopping, and bus lines. |
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Dundee Hill
Right in the middle of the city, Dundee Hill is a potpourri of rural countryside homes on acreage and houses on city lots. You'll find houses of varying ages and styles, and small planned housing developments like Hamilton Heights or Towne Point, an affordable park for manufactured homes. On the northern end are an active community center, thoughtful community garden, public trails, churches, preschools and commercial garden & nursery. According to one local old-timer, Dundee's identification is "pretty much lost in history's dust-bin". |
Castle Hill
Named after Manresa Castle this sunny slope located west of Kah Tai Lagoon hosts a variety of home styles including Historical Victorian homes, modern Northwest, and affordable tract-housing. You'll also find a hub of medical facilities surrounding the local hospital, Jefferson Healthcare. Excellent access to the bus line and walkable to shopping, Grant Street Elementary, services, restaurants, and a variety of small businesses. |
Brief History of Port Townsend
During his 1792 exploration of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, Captain George Vancouver (1757-1798) identified Port Townsend as a safe harbor on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Vancouver named the site for the Marquis of Townshend. Port Townsend began as a farming, logging and seafaring town. By the mid-1800's, this small settlement became a thriving international seaport, known for the 17 saloons and dozen brothels that lined its waterfront. By the late 1880's, the thriving citizens of Port Townsend sought to procure a railroad link to connect with Portland, Oregon. The railroad chose to go through the small towns of Seattle/Tacoma instead and the failure to secure a rail link, coupled with the nationwide economic depression of 1893, halted development in Port Townsend.
Many people left the area in the 1890's and economy was primarily fishing, the port, canning, the military, and subsistence living until 1920's when the paper mill was built. Port Townsend benefited from the public works and conservation corps efforts during the Depression (check the sidewalks in the uptown residential areas for markings in the corners of the concrete near intersections - WPA or CWA).
After WWII and the Korean conflict in the 50's, Port Townsend saw growth and the building of tract-housing (near Fort Worden on T Street, S Street and Cherry Street). During the 60's, PT extended the marina, bringing in more boats and a small boat building industry. The 70's saw an influx of people with a "laid-back" attitude, many interested in artistic pursuits, who were attracted to the inexpensive homes and a slow economy.
In 1976, the Downtown waterfront and parts of Uptown were designated a National Historic district. Later, Fort Worden (now a state park) and the City of Port Townsend were designated as National Landmarks. The city is further recognized as one of only three Victorian seaports on the National Historic Register. The other two are Galveston, TX and Cape May, NJ. Port Townsend now lays claim to being the wooden boat mecca of the Northwest and has gained an international reputation as a builder of wooden sailing vessels and state-of-the-art motor yachts.
More History on Port Townsend
During his 1792 exploration of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound, Captain George Vancouver (1757-1798) identified Port Townsend as a safe harbor on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Vancouver named the site for the Marquis of Townshend. Port Townsend began as a farming, logging and seafaring town. By the mid-1800's, this small settlement became a thriving international seaport, known for the 17 saloons and dozen brothels that lined its waterfront. By the late 1880's, the thriving citizens of Port Townsend sought to procure a railroad link to connect with Portland, Oregon. The railroad chose to go through the small towns of Seattle/Tacoma instead and the failure to secure a rail link, coupled with the nationwide economic depression of 1893, halted development in Port Townsend.
Many people left the area in the 1890's and economy was primarily fishing, the port, canning, the military, and subsistence living until 1920's when the paper mill was built. Port Townsend benefited from the public works and conservation corps efforts during the Depression (check the sidewalks in the uptown residential areas for markings in the corners of the concrete near intersections - WPA or CWA).
After WWII and the Korean conflict in the 50's, Port Townsend saw growth and the building of tract-housing (near Fort Worden on T Street, S Street and Cherry Street). During the 60's, PT extended the marina, bringing in more boats and a small boat building industry. The 70's saw an influx of people with a "laid-back" attitude, many interested in artistic pursuits, who were attracted to the inexpensive homes and a slow economy.
In 1976, the Downtown waterfront and parts of Uptown were designated a National Historic district. Later, Fort Worden (now a state park) and the City of Port Townsend were designated as National Landmarks. The city is further recognized as one of only three Victorian seaports on the National Historic Register. The other two are Galveston, TX and Cape May, NJ. Port Townsend now lays claim to being the wooden boat mecca of the Northwest and has gained an international reputation as a builder of wooden sailing vessels and state-of-the-art motor yachts.
More History on Port Townsend
Steve & Crystal Craig, Brokers | Coldwell Banker Best Homes | 234 Taylor Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 | 360-385-0836