Our Town
Port Townsend
Washington's Victorian Seaport
Book a walking tour of Port Townsend
Founded in 1851 , Port Townsend was once the second-busiest port on the West coast. With its commercially strategic position at the corner of Puget Sound, it served as a vital customs port for a significant portion of the Victorian era. The late 1880's were a particular boom-time for the town, and the community experienced a building frenzy of gorgeous examples of Victorian architecture, many of which are still standing.
Port Townsend inspired the town of Chetzemoka in my historical fiction series. One of my dreams and goals for the series is for my books to do for Port Townsend what L.M. Montgomery's beautiful Anne of Green Gables series did for Prince Edward Island. When writing my books, I'll sometimes bring my notebook out to the spot where a scene takes place and write it there, to get all the details just right.
See more pictures of PT and find out how it inspired various scenes in the series here!
Port Townsend inspired the town of Chetzemoka in my historical fiction series. One of my dreams and goals for the series is for my books to do for Port Townsend what L.M. Montgomery's beautiful Anne of Green Gables series did for Prince Edward Island. When writing my books, I'll sometimes bring my notebook out to the spot where a scene takes place and write it there, to get all the details just right.
See more pictures of PT and find out how it inspired various scenes in the series here!
Where's Port Townsend? Click here for a link to Google Maps
or find it on the antique map below!
Some 19th-century articles related to Port Townsend:
Port Townsend (1889)
Port Townsend, Wash. (1891)
"Port Townsend: Our Thriving Neighbor" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1889)
"The Early Settlers: Proceedings of the Annual Reunion at Port Townsend" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1891)
Seattle vs. Port Townsend football game, 1893
"Port Townsend", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 12, 1888 (full-page boosterism piece).
Here are some of the not-to-be-missed Port Townsend landmarks:
Chetzemoka Park
Named after a 19th century leader of the local S'Klallam tribe.
The fictionalized version of Port Townsend in Sarah's series takes its name from the same historic figure.
The fictionalized version of Port Townsend in Sarah's series takes its name from the same historic figure.
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Hastings Building
Fans of my Tales of Chetzemoka series may remember this as the building where Kitty has her dress shop in First Wheel in Town, and where Jacob has his cycle shop in the other books. For more series details, go to www.thisvictorianlife.com/tales-of-chetzemoka.html)
"Construction on Elmer H. Fisher’s design for the Hastings Building began in 1889 and was completed in 1890. The morning Leader observed in November 1889 that the Hastings Building, still under construction, was “conceded by all to be the most elegant building in the city.” It went on to enumerate “such progressive features as the two interior staircases, wainscoting of redwood, and the unusually large (96”x100”) plate glass to be used on the first floor storefronts”."
—Source: http://www.hastingsestate.com/hastingsestate.com/Hastings_Building.html
"Down the street in the proud Hastings Building, with its stone scrollwork and iron vines, Jacob was brazing bike parts at the back of his store. The wind picked up the smell of hot metal, and then went farther down…"
--Delivery Delayed, Book IV in the Tales of Chetzemoka
--Delivery Delayed, Book IV in the Tales of Chetzemoka
Post Office
Originally the Federal Customs House, the building currently housing Port Townsend's post office has stonework images of Chief Chetzemoka's family on the columns which grace its facade.
"Friday morning Kitty spent extra time arranging her hair, primping the ribbons on her dress and pinning the veiling fabric high on her bonnet so that her face would show. Even with this extra care she still left home early enough to arrive at the post office five minutes before it opened. As she'd expected, Dr. Brown was already there, waiting on the steps. There was a big grin on his face that reminded Kitty more of a schoolboy than of a grown man nearing his third decade."
--First Wheel in Town, Book I in the Tales of Chetzemoka
--First Wheel in Town, Book I in the Tales of Chetzemoka
The Fire Bell Tower
The one that Kitty climbs up to watch the race in First Wheel in Town!
"Watching Water Street from the top of the bluff, Kitty clenched her fists in frustration as she saw all the obstacles impeding Brown's progress. Boys deliberately jumped in front of him. Motionless dogs slept on in the middle of the street as he flew towards them, or lazily sat up and started howling in place. Kitty wanted to howl, too —to shout at the fools to get out of the way. As Bill turned onto Water Street and thundered towards Brown on his wheel, Kitty's nails dug into her palms.
Soon trees and buildings blocked her view of the wheelman. She climbed swiftly up the ladder at the side of the fire tower to keep him in view as long as possible…"
--First Wheel in Town, Book I in the Tales of Chetzemoka
Soon trees and buildings blocked her view of the wheelman. She climbed swiftly up the ladder at the side of the fire tower to keep him in view as long as possible…"
--First Wheel in Town, Book I in the Tales of Chetzemoka
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Fort Worden
The origin of Fort Worden started in the late nineteenth-century. The following letter was printed in a local newspaper, proposing fortifications near Washington's Key City:
From the Port Townsend Leader, 1895:
"HE FAVORS THE FORTIFICATIONS
Important Letter From General Miles
DEFENSES OF PUGET SOUND
In a Letter to Colonel Henry Landes the New Commander of the United States Army Tells of His Belief in the Necessity of Fortifications.
Shortly after General Nelson A. Miles was appointed to the command of the army of the United States, a letter of congratulation was written him by Colonel Henry Landes, in which he took occasion to call the attention, also, of the general to his past interest in the subject of fortifications for Puget Sound, and expressing the hope that in his new position he would continue to discuss this matter in his official papers.
A most gratifying reply was received yesterday by Colonel Landes, as follows:
Headquarters of the Army, Washington D.C., Oct. 12, 1895.
Mr. Henry Landes, Port Townsend Wash. My dear sir: - Your very kind letter of September 30 was duly received, and highly appreciated your kind congratulations.
I fully realize the importance of the subject of your letter, namely, the defense of Puget Sound, and shall give it every attention and support that is possible to give. I intend to mention the matter in my official communications, and hope, during my term of service, to see some substantial progress made in that direction.
I shall be glad to hear from you at any time, and should you visit Washington in the furture (sic) I shall be pleased to see you.
Very sincerely yours,
NELSON A. MILES,
Major General, U.S.A." -From the Port Townsend Leader, 1895
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http://www.centrum.org/fortworden/home.html
Fort Worden has something for everyone: gorgeous, sweeping views, beautiful beaches, museums, hiking and biking trails, camping spots, a hostel, a military parade ground (great for field games like tag!), old bunkers (for exploration, and sneakier games like capture the flag)... There's even a blimp hangar!
Film buffs will remember Fort Worden as the setting for Richard Gere's breakthrough movie, "An Officer And a Gentleman" -and they'll remember the blimp hangar for his fight scene in the film!
Historic Fort Worden is now a state park. The parks service rents out the old officers' quarters to visitors: fortworden.org/stay-here/officers-row/ They also rent out Alexander's Castle, a tiny little brick castle built in 1882 (on land which would later become part of the fort) by Reverend John Alexander: http://fortworden.org/stay-here/cottage/
From the Port Townsend Leader, 1895:
"HE FAVORS THE FORTIFICATIONS
Important Letter From General Miles
DEFENSES OF PUGET SOUND
In a Letter to Colonel Henry Landes the New Commander of the United States Army Tells of His Belief in the Necessity of Fortifications.
Shortly after General Nelson A. Miles was appointed to the command of the army of the United States, a letter of congratulation was written him by Colonel Henry Landes, in which he took occasion to call the attention, also, of the general to his past interest in the subject of fortifications for Puget Sound, and expressing the hope that in his new position he would continue to discuss this matter in his official papers.
A most gratifying reply was received yesterday by Colonel Landes, as follows:
Headquarters of the Army, Washington D.C., Oct. 12, 1895.
Mr. Henry Landes, Port Townsend Wash. My dear sir: - Your very kind letter of September 30 was duly received, and highly appreciated your kind congratulations.
I fully realize the importance of the subject of your letter, namely, the defense of Puget Sound, and shall give it every attention and support that is possible to give. I intend to mention the matter in my official communications, and hope, during my term of service, to see some substantial progress made in that direction.
I shall be glad to hear from you at any time, and should you visit Washington in the furture (sic) I shall be pleased to see you.
Very sincerely yours,
NELSON A. MILES,
Major General, U.S.A." -From the Port Townsend Leader, 1895
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http://www.centrum.org/fortworden/home.html
Fort Worden has something for everyone: gorgeous, sweeping views, beautiful beaches, museums, hiking and biking trails, camping spots, a hostel, a military parade ground (great for field games like tag!), old bunkers (for exploration, and sneakier games like capture the flag)... There's even a blimp hangar!
Film buffs will remember Fort Worden as the setting for Richard Gere's breakthrough movie, "An Officer And a Gentleman" -and they'll remember the blimp hangar for his fight scene in the film!
Historic Fort Worden is now a state park. The parks service rents out the old officers' quarters to visitors: fortworden.org/stay-here/officers-row/ They also rent out Alexander's Castle, a tiny little brick castle built in 1882 (on land which would later become part of the fort) by Reverend John Alexander: http://fortworden.org/stay-here/cottage/
"Ken put the field glasses away in his pocket and turned back towards his brother-in-law. "Jacob, you asked about the castle. Didn't Addie say the two of you visited Reverend Alexander up there a few weeks ago?"
"That's right." The wind was threatening to blow off his hat; he pressed it down more tightly. "She baked him an angels' food cake. Poor man…"
Ken cocked his head with more humor than sympathy. "Did he really expect that sweetheart of his back in Scotland to wait indefinitely for him to send for her?"
"He was building her a castle!" Jacob protested. "That's not done in a day."
"It's a very small castle," Ken sniggered. "It would fit inside Silas' house —or my parents'— with room to spare."
"But it's still a castle!"…"
--A Trip and A Tumble, Book V in the Tales of Chetzemoka
"That's right." The wind was threatening to blow off his hat; he pressed it down more tightly. "She baked him an angels' food cake. Poor man…"
Ken cocked his head with more humor than sympathy. "Did he really expect that sweetheart of his back in Scotland to wait indefinitely for him to send for her?"
"He was building her a castle!" Jacob protested. "That's not done in a day."
"It's a very small castle," Ken sniggered. "It would fit inside Silas' house —or my parents'— with room to spare."
"But it's still a castle!"…"
--A Trip and A Tumble, Book V in the Tales of Chetzemoka
The Bishop Hotel
"…By the time she entered The Bishop hotel McCoy was starting to lose hope of catching Esmerelda at her lodgings. This was the last respectable hotel in town she hadn't tried yet, and she doubted she'd find Esmerelda in the other sort. Not that McCoy didn't feel Esmerelda belonged in the other sort; she simply believed the more regular woman lodgers in those places wouldn't tolerate out-of-town competition.
The Bishop's lounge was on the ground floor but all the rooms and the office were upstairs. The staircase had its own door; it was separate from the lounge and opened right onto the street. As McCoy climbed up the stairs to the office she noticed that the pressed plaster wainscotting on either side of the steps featured stylized pomegranates. Addie had once told her some old pagan yarn about the pomegranate being the symbol of the Queen of the Dead; seeing the plaster pomegranates on the wainscotting gave her hope that Esmerelda might be here after all. McCoy didn't set any store by superstition herself, but she figured a body didn't go in for Esmerelda's particular flavor of charlatanism without some degree of superstition…"
--A Rapping At The Door, Book III in the Tales of Chetzemoka
The Bishop's lounge was on the ground floor but all the rooms and the office were upstairs. The staircase had its own door; it was separate from the lounge and opened right onto the street. As McCoy climbed up the stairs to the office she noticed that the pressed plaster wainscotting on either side of the steps featured stylized pomegranates. Addie had once told her some old pagan yarn about the pomegranate being the symbol of the Queen of the Dead; seeing the plaster pomegranates on the wainscotting gave her hope that Esmerelda might be here after all. McCoy didn't set any store by superstition herself, but she figured a body didn't go in for Esmerelda's particular flavor of charlatanism without some degree of superstition…"
--A Rapping At The Door, Book III in the Tales of Chetzemoka
Ann Starrett Mansion
1889
One of the city's most popular architects built this home for his wife. It also served as his "salesman's sample" to show off all the different architectural elements he could create. A B&B for many years, it is now a private home again.
For an interesting detail about historical ownership of architectural marvels like this one, see:
http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/blog/-she-gets-all-the-assets-he-gets-all-the-debt-victorian-property-laws-were-not-what-you-think
For an interesting detail about historical ownership of architectural marvels like this one, see:
http://www.thisvictorianlife.com/blog/-she-gets-all-the-assets-he-gets-all-the-debt-victorian-property-laws-were-not-what-you-think
Advertisement for George Starrett's building services, from the Puget Sound Weekly Argus, Sept. 27, 1888.
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C.F. Clapp Building
Circa 1885
A beautiful building with lovely metal tiling along the facade. To read more about its history, go to: http://ptmainstreet.org/page3/files/buildingplaquesbooklet.pdf
A beautiful building with lovely metal tiling along the facade. To read more about its history, go to: http://ptmainstreet.org/page3/files/buildingplaquesbooklet.pdf
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City Hall
This beautiful building dates to 1891... or is it 1892? Signs on different sides of the building keep visitors guessing!
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First National Bank Building
In the early 1880's, this building housed the only bank to be found in Jefferson, Clallam, Island, or San Juan counties! (Fact source:Victorian Architecture of Port Townsend Washington, by Allen T. Denison & Wallace K. Huntington)
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Galatea Fountain
In summer
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In winter
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James & Hastings Building
Built in 1889
Jefferson County Courthouse
(Slideshow pictures courtesy Estar Hyo Gyung Choi, Mary Studio.)
Manresa Castle
7th & Sheridan Streethttp://www.manresacastle.com/
"The Castle was completed in 1892 as the home of Charles and Kate Eisenbeis. Mr. Eisenbeis was a prominent member of the early Port Townsend business community. His business interests were diverse including a bakery, brick works, lumber mill, brewery, bank and a hotel. In 1878, when Port Townsend became the first incorporated city in Jefferson County, its citizens elected Eisenbeis as the first mayor.In keeping with his status in the community, Eisenbeis built what was the largest private residence ever built in Port Townsend, consisting of 30 rooms. Locals referred to the building as the "Eisenbeis Castle;" its design was reminiscent of some of the castles in Eisenbeis' native Prussia.
The walls were 12 inches thick, made with bricks from Eisenbeis' own brick work's and the roof was slate. Tiled fireplaces and finely crafted woodwork were installed by German artisans.
Charles died in 1902 and Kate remarried a few years later. The Castle was left empty for almost 20 years except for a caretaker
In 1925, a Seattle attorney bought the Castle as a vacation place for nuns teaching in Seattle schools. This plan did not work out well and in 1927 the Jesuit priests purchased the building for use as a training college. The priests spent their sixteenth and final year of training here studying ascetic theology.
In 1928, the Jesuits added a large wing housing a chapel and sleeping rooms. They also installed the elevator (an Otis) at a cost of $3,400 -- a substantial sum in those days. When their addition was complete, the Jesuits stuccoed over the bricks of the original portion to give the building a more uniform look. They named the complex "Manresa Hall" after the town in Spain where Ignatius Loyola founded the order.
The Jesuits left in 1968 and the building was converted into a hotel. The elements "Manresa" and "Castle" were taken from the two previous owners to create the current name.
The three different owners since 1968 have all done their part to lovingly renovate the building to modern standards while maintaining its Victorian elegance. For example, there were only 3 bathrooms when the Jesuits left - today we have 43."
-quoted from http://www.manresacastle.com/about.html
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Places to stay when visiting Port Townsend (in alphabetical order —it seemed the fairest way to list them) :
The Bishop
(Note for fans of my Tales of Chetzemoka series: The Bishop is the hotel where Nurse McCoy tracks down Esmerelda in book three, A Rapping At the Door. For more series details, go to www.thisvictorianlife.com/tales-of-chetzemoka.html)
Fort Worden
Garden Cottage Getaway
Manresa Castle
(Note for fans of my Tales of Chetzemoka series: Manresa Castle is right next to the historic house that inspired Silas Hayes' mansion in the series! For pictures of that historic home and more series details, go to www.thisvictorianlife.com/tales-of-chetzemoka.html)
The Palace
The Swan
Back to Everyday Life
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Port Townsend inspired the town of Chetzemoka in my historical fiction series! Fans of the town will enjoy recognizing scenes and landmarks.
In a seaport town in the late 19th-century Pacific Northwest, a group of friends find themselves drawn together —by chance, by love, and by the marvelous changes their world is undergoing. In the process, they learn that the family we choose can be just as important as the ones we're born into. Join their adventures in
The Tales of Chetzemoka
First Wheel in Town:
A Victorian Cycling Club Romance
In the summer of 1881, a Pacific Northwest town is buzzing with curiosity over a mysterious package received by handsome young Dr. Brown. Kitty Butler, the town dressmaker, is as curious as anyone else. She only knows one thing about that crate in the post office: everyone else's guesses about its contents are all wrong.
When Dr. Brown unpacks the crate and reveals the first bicycle the town has ever seen, he wants to share his enthusiasm for this revolutionary new piece of technology —but encounters overwhelming hostility instead of the excitement he'd expected. The only one who seems positively interested is the pretty young widow Kitty Butler, and Dr. Brown soon realizes how much he needs her support…
When Dr. Brown unpacks the crate and reveals the first bicycle the town has ever seen, he wants to share his enthusiasm for this revolutionary new piece of technology —but encounters overwhelming hostility instead of the excitement he'd expected. The only one who seems positively interested is the pretty young widow Kitty Butler, and Dr. Brown soon realizes how much he needs her support…
Buy the book Learn more
Love Will Find A Wheel:
A Victorian Cycling Club Romance
"I'm sure he'll be glad you're here —once he gets used to it."
When Jacob Simmons arrives in Washington Territory in the summer of 1882 and receives a glacial reception from his uncle Silas, he appreciates Dr. Brown's encouraging prediction but doesn't have much faith in it. Jacob's not even sure Silas will have time to get used to his presence, let alone consider him welcome. If the young man can't meet the draconian requirements of a contract with his business investors, he'll face exile and financial ruin, thus fulfilling old Silas' prediction that he would be just as dismal a failure as his father. His whole future rests on finding a market for a remarkable new machine —and he'll need help selling them.
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Addie Kellam is an incredibly lonely young woman. She's more comfortable with books than with other people, yet she longs for the sort of romance she reads about in stories. It's something she fears she'll never experience herself, since even friendship seems elusive. She envies the cameraderie her brother finds in his cycling club, but the only bicycles in the town of Chetzemoka are specifically designed for men. There aren't any wheels for women anywhere —are there?
When Jacob Simmons arrives in Washington Territory in the summer of 1882 and receives a glacial reception from his uncle Silas, he appreciates Dr. Brown's encouraging prediction but doesn't have much faith in it. Jacob's not even sure Silas will have time to get used to his presence, let alone consider him welcome. If the young man can't meet the draconian requirements of a contract with his business investors, he'll face exile and financial ruin, thus fulfilling old Silas' prediction that he would be just as dismal a failure as his father. His whole future rests on finding a market for a remarkable new machine —and he'll need help selling them.
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Addie Kellam is an incredibly lonely young woman. She's more comfortable with books than with other people, yet she longs for the sort of romance she reads about in stories. It's something she fears she'll never experience herself, since even friendship seems elusive. She envies the cameraderie her brother finds in his cycling club, but the only bicycles in the town of Chetzemoka are specifically designed for men. There aren't any wheels for women anywhere —are there?
Buy the book Learn more
A Rapping At The Door:
A Victorian Cycling Club Suspense Story
When the delivery of a mysterious letter to Silas Hayes' mansion is followed by the arrival of a beautiful young woman who claims she can communicate with the dead, Nurse McCoy sniffs trouble in the wind. It's obvious to her that the newcomer is after Silas' fortune, but he is helplessly in awe of the medium's eerily intimate knowledge of his past and her seemingly supernatural abilities. Meanwhile, Kitty Brown's yearning to reach out to the departed spirit of her first love is making her push away her new husband, just when she needs him the most. The whole situation is a dreadful mess, and McCoy's got to straighten it all out before Silas' nephew and his bride come back from their honeymoon. Honestly, she doesn't know how any of the fools in this world would get along without her...
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Delivery Delayed:
A Victorian Cycling Club Romance
It's obvious to everyone in the Chetzemoka cycling club that Lizzie and Isaac could make each other very happy —but does anyone really listen to their friends about affairs of the heart? A prim schoolmarm and a stoic steamship captain are hardly the people to discuss their sentiments, especially with each other. The smallest challenges seem like huge obstacles, even with everyone else trying their best to bring them together. When progress finally seems possible, a well-intentioned little girl steps in with the kind of help they'd be better off without. Will the situation be resolved in time, or will Isaac ship out for good?
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A Trip and a Tumble:
A Victorian Cycling Club Story
Time for a vacation —step right up! When Felix's newspaper sends him up to Victoria, B.C. to report on a visiting circus Ken inevitably tags along, "like a dutiful puppy", as Addie says. Meanwhile, Jacob's sent north to Victoria as well, as an ambassador for the cycling company he represents. Addie tells him to keep an eye on the chums, but no one ever could keep Ken and Felix from stumbling into scrapes. When a vivacious high-society belle and a surprisingly timid circus bicyclist enter the picture, things heat up quickly.
Be prepared for a grand circus pageant —let the show begin!
Be prepared for a grand circus pageant —let the show begin!
Buy the Book Learn More
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Anthologies
A Bouquet of Victorian Roses
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This Victorian Life
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