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JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY |
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Geographically isolated at the tip of a peninsula on a peninsula, Port Townsend is surrounded on three sides by bodies of water. In the days of sailing ships, her strategic location at the entrance to Puget Sound provided an edge over other contenders further into the placid waters of Puget Sound. By the early 1880s, this small outpost was on the verge of becoming a great city. The Puget Sound Customs Collection District was moved to Port Townsend in 1854, just three years after the town was founded. If the powers-that-be back in "the other Washington" had decided to push Port Townsend into prominence and prosperity, they could not have devised a better way. Every vessel entering Puget Sound from any foreign port had to make its first stop at Port Townsend. At this moment, the "Key City" was born. The "Key City." as Port Townsend boosters referred to their town, was not only the home to the U.S. Customs House, but also to the Marine Hospital, merchants and boarding houses, as well as dozens of saloons and brothels. These establishments provided services to the dozens of ships and crews that could be in port at any one time. Men looking for work or with money to spend gravitated to the bustling waterfront. Entrepreneurs of every kind followed closely behind them. Trade ships arrived daily from all over the world and stopped for customs inspection, new crews, refitting, re-supplying, and to load and unload passengers and goods. Port Townsend was the headquarters for the Revenue Cutters operating along the northwest coast, enforcing (more or less) the U.S. Customs and Immigration laws. Customs officials grew to be among the richest citizens; rich enough to build the finest homes in the city's Uptown district. Many shipmasters made Port Townsend their home port and the movements of their vessels were followed with great interest. Many ship captains also built beautiful homes Uptown, thus contributing to the gentrification of the community. A separate shopping district was developed Uptown, along with lovely churches and schools, hospitals and parks. By the 1880s construction of a grand downtown infrastructure was well underway. Investors built a railroad terminal and laid track as far south as Quilcene. The downtown and uptown were connected by several staircases up the bluff and both were served by the city's street cars. But money ran out before the railroad could connect to a larger line. Port Townsend may have been perfectly situated for sailing ships, but steamships could proceed into Puget Sound without concern for losing the wind in the inland waterway. The loss to Seattle of the Customs Office in 1913 was a final blow to the Key City's grand ambitions. While Seattle and Tacoma became increasingly important ports with railroad links, Port Townsend's significance as a seaport diminished. Unhampered by reality, Port Townsend's citizens continued to build large buildings right up until the nationwide economic depression of 1893, at which time Port Townsend's grand City Hall building was only one year old. Investors left the once bustling, boisterous, booming seaport in such economic decline that it was unprofitable to replace the old Victorian buildings and homes. The population steadily dwindled and little was done with the grand Victorian homes and buildings until restoration efforts began in the 1970s. What was financially ruinous for many, proved to be a blessing to future residents and visitors. Port Townsend is now a beautiful authentic Victorian seaport. Although many structures burned or were torn down before preservation groups began to prevail, much remains of the city's Victorian architecture. With boats coming and going for over 150 years, Port Townsend's economy and culture has always had a strong maritime flavor, influenced and supported by visitors. We hope you'll take this as an invitation to explore the Key City for yourself. Links to local maritime organizations: |
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