Visit the Victorian seaport town of Port Townsend in Washington State.
Port Townsend is a beautiful coastal town less than 2 hours from Seattle, on the Olympic Peninsula. To get there from Seattle, take a short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, then drive up the Olympic Peninsula.
A walk along Port Townsend's streets is like taking a step back in time to the 1880s, because it's only one of three Victorian seaports in America.
Port Townsend's main commercial hub is along historic Water Street, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, boutiques, museums and art galleries, perfect for a weekend away.
The surrounding area is also full of attractions, like the Point Wilson Lighthouse, Fort Worden's beaches and trails, the Marrowstone Vineyards, Finnriver Farm & Cidery, the Port Townsend Aero Museum, and so much more!
20 best attractions in Port Townsend
1. Port Townsend restaurants.
The best casual dining option at Port Townsend is the award winning Tommyknocker's Cornish Pasty. Another crowd pleaser is La Cocina mexican restaurant, serving delicious margaritas, burritos, tacos and huevos rancheros.
Families will love the 1950s-style Port Townsend Soda Fountain and Diner, serving all the food staples like hot dogs, burgers, grilled cheese, milkshakes and ice-cream. Other family friendly options include the yummy pizzas from Hillbottom Pie or Waterfront Pizza.
If you're looking for a more upscale dining experience, book a tale at Finistere restaurant in Uptown Port Townsend, whose chef has worked in high end restaurants in both New York and Seattle. The Fountain Cafe also serves delicious food in an eclectic setting, with incredible pasta dishes.
2. Waterfront dining.
There are four great waterfront restaurants at Port Townsend, with beautiful views to Whidbey Island. Adults can enjoy the seasonal patios at Quench Waterfront Kitchen (tiki bar) and Siren's Pub (21+).
There are also two great options for families. The Port Townsend Soda Fountain and Diner has an outdoor patio in summer (pictured above). Doc's Marina Grill also has a fabulous patio overlooking the water, and is kid friendly.
3. Water Street shops.
Port Townsend's Water Street has a fabulous selection of gift shops, specializing in home goods, kitchenwares, cosmetics and so much more. The whole shopping experience is enhanced by the stunning interiors of these 19th century buildings. Shop at Conservatory Coastal Home or The Green Eyeshade for homewares, and What's Cookin for kitchen accessories. Commoner boutique sells classic clothing made by local designers, and Thuja has a trendy selection of unique gifts.
4. Port Townsend coffee shops.
Better Living Through Coffee has a spectacular setting on a small beach in downtown Port Townsend. Step inside Better Living through Coffee for more gorgeous water views, and watch the ferry crossing to Whidbey Island.
Velocity is steps from the waterfront, in the same building as the Wooden Boat Chandlery. It offers a cosy, northwestern atmosphere complete with local artworks on the wall. Step outside to walk along the pebbly beach or pier, or take a longer walk around the marina to Point Hudson, the site of a historic 1930s quarantine station.
5. Vintage Wine Bar.
Vintage Wine Bar (725 Water Street) opened in 2019 in the historic F.C.Clapp building (1885). Vintage offers wine by the glass or bottle, with small plate food pairings. This chic wine bar has both an indoor seating area, and expansive outdoor patio overlooking the Port Townsend waterfront, that hosts live music in summer.
6. Bishop Hotel - wine bar & cafe.
The Bishop Hotel's chic lobby is also a cafe and wine bar, and serves delicious coffee and house baked pastries. It's open to everyone, even if you're not at guest at the hotel. There's also a stunning garden with seating in the rear of the building. Order a glass or bottle of wine from France, Italy, Spain and Oregon, or locally sourced ciders and brews from Finnriver and Propolis.
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The renovated lobby retains many original features from the 1889 Bishop Block building, including the stamped tin ceiling, brass light fixtures, and exposed brick walls.
7. Port Townsend Victorian hotels.
Port Townsend has four authentic Victorian hotels in downtown, all with colorful histories.
Palace Hotel (1889) pictured above, started out as billiard parlor and saloon, and the upstairs rooms eventually became a brothel in the 1920s to mid-30s. The rooms still bear the names of some of the original prostitutes; like Miss Simone, Miss Lilly, and Miss Ruby. The hotel is apparently haunted, with an eerie painting of a Victorian woman in a blue gown at the top of the stairs, who guests claim has roamed the hotel (book here).
Belmont Hotel (1889) is on the waterfront along Water Street, and has stylish, renovated rooms with water views. There's also a project underway to transform the lobby into an incredible marketplace, restaurant and coffee shop (book here).
Waterstreet Hotel (1889) is also along Water Street, in the prominent N.D. Hill Building, and started out as a pharmacy, before becoming a hotel in the 1920s, then a tavern from the 1930s with long term apartments upstairs. Most of the rooms offer water views. Movie buffs will recognize this hotel from the fight scene in the 1982 movie Officer and a Gentleman (book here).
Bishop Hotel (1891) is one street back from Water Street, and has a gorgeous new lobby that doubles as a coffee shop and wine bar. Guests can also enjoy the stunning garden and patio area at the back of the hotel. The hotel was originally used for office space, storage, and long term apartments (book here).
8. Victorian B&Bs in Port Townsend.
The Commander's Beach House is a colonial-revival style bed and breakfast at Point Hudson in Port Townsend, with water views from every room. It was constructed in 1934 for the Commanding Medical Officer of the U.S. Quarantine Station. What a fabulous place to stay! (book here).
The Old Consulate Inn (1889) is a bed and breakfast, sitting atop a bluff in Port Townsend with incredible views. Home builder Frank Hastings constructed the home in 1889, but it wasn't completed until 1907 when the Olsen family moved in. They took in boarders to make ends meet. One of their boarders, August Dudenhausen was an acting German vice-consul (book here).
9. Manresa Castle
Manresa Castle was built in 1892 as a private home for a prominent Port Townsend resident, influenced by his former Prussian homeland. It then became a Jesuit training center for priests, before finally becoming a hotel in 1968. You can stay overnight at Manresa Castle (book here) or enjoy a meal at two restaurants (The Rook and The Green Room). There's also a fun bar in the basement (The Elephant Room).
This is the stunning lobby at Manresa Castle.
10. The Pourhouse.
The Pourhouse (2231 Washington Street) has one of the most awe-inspiring settings, with a large patio area known as the "Impound Lot" overlooking a dramatic beach in the port district of Port Townsend. Check hours (21+ only).
The Pourhouse is both a taproom and bottleshop, serving 12 types of beer, 2 ciders, and a large selection of wines. There's also a bar snack menu.
11. Port Townsend Vineyards.
Port Townsend Vineyards (2640 W Sims Way) is 5-minutes west of downtown, and has a gorgeous tasting room inside a barn. There's ample outdoor seating on the covered patio, with a large lawned area beyond this area with more seating and seasonal games. The winery has an incredible setting, at the site of the old Portugese Hill cattle ranch. Check hours.
Port Townsend Vineyards serves award winning reds and whites, with guided wine tastings. Some of the grapes are sourced from Eastern Washington and Oregon, but others are grown on the 11.5 acre vineyard here. The locally sourced grapes were first harvested 2017, and used to produce sparkling wines that are best paired with the region's abundant shellfish.
12. Marrowstone Vineyards.
Marrowstone Vineyards (423 Meade Road, Nordland) is an easy 15-mile drive from Port Townsend, across a bridge that connects the mainland to Marrowstone Island. This charming property has a patio area with breathtaking water views of Whidbey Island and the Cascades. There's also a large lawned area with plenty of room to roam, and a cosy firepit for winter days. An unexpected surprise is the rustic art gallery upstairs, hosting rotating exhibitions from local artists. Check hours.
13. Port Townsend book stores.
Imprint Bookstore (820 Water Street) has been around for 40+ years. It's small in size, but does a great job of showcasing the most interesting books, many by local authors (check hours).
The William James Bookstore (829 Water Street) sells an extensive selection of used, new and rare books. It's possible to spend hours exploring the shelves of its large interior, while savoring the historic atmosphere. It's been in business for 30+ years (check hours).
14. Port Townsend Undertown.
Mount Baker Block (1890) was built by the first Port Townsend mayor, intended to hold retail and offices. This building is full of mystery, with undertown tunnels that connect to the waterfront. Rumor has it that these tunnels were used to shanghai (drug and kidnap) unsuspecting men to work on ships.
Access to Port Townsend's Undertown is on the corner of Water Street and Taylor Street.
Take the stairs down to the subterranean rooms in Port Townsend's Undertown, that lead to the tunnels. Today the subterranean area in Port Townsend's Undertown is used for retail space, including a candle shop, frame shop, and photographic gallery.
Chandlery by Naughty Faery Creations, sells candles, oils and stick incense in Port Townsend Undertown, that all smell amazing!
The retail space connects to tunnels, behind this locked gate. The first tunnel runs along Water Street, with two other tunnels running perpendicular to it, out to the water.
15. Rothschild House Museum.
Rothschild House (418 Taylor Street) is on a bluff on the corner of Franklin and Taylor streets in Uptown Port Townsend. This beautifully preserved home was constructed in 1868 by Port Townsend merchant D.C.H Rothschild, and kept in the family until his daughter died in 1954. Rothschild House was then donated in 1962 to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Check tickets & hours (open May to Sept).
Rothschild House offers a unique insight into a typical 1800s home, because it's furniture and interior remain largely unchanged. The owner D.C.H Rothschild raised five children with his German wife in this house, and ran a successful mercantile store above the site of today's Nifty Fiftys Soda Fountain on Port Townsend's Water Street. Unfortunately he ran into financial problems when he branched out into a riskier shipping business, and in 1886 took his life on the beach between Point Hudson and Point Wilson.
16. Jefferson Museum of Art and History.
Jefferson Museum of Art and History (540 Water Street) is a must-see, enabling visitors to explore three floors of Port Townsend's authentic 1890s City Hall. Everything is beautifully preserved, including the original courtroom, jail and council chambers. Check tickets & hours.
Take the stairs down to the creepy jail.
In the early 1890s Port Townsend had a seedy, crime-ridden waterfront, with a passing parade of sailors, merchants, and hustlers all looking for a good time in the dozens of brothels and saloons. Many would end up in this jail cell for public drunkness, assault, or even murder.
The subterranean jail cells were miserable for prisoners, with a cold concrete floor, basic bed, and bucket for a toilet. You can also peer into an isolation cell that housed the worst criminals, complete with a ball and chain so they couldn't get too far if they escaped!
The original courtroom is on the main floor, and there's a theatre in the room next door with videos on Port Townsend's history.
This old Port Townsend carriage once operated as a 19th century taxi service.
Check out the dramatic black plumes of ostrich feathers on the roof of this horse drawn Victorian hearse.
Take the stairs to the upper floor to see the council chambers, and the offices of city officials like the mayor, harbor master and surveyor. The council chambers looks exactly like they did in the 19th century!
17. Port Townsend Aero Museum.
Port Townsend Aero Museum (105 Airport Road) is 10 minutes south of town, right next to the airport. This is a smaller museum, but packed full of vintage aircraft that are still in flying condition! Check tickets & hours.
18. Port Townsend breweries.
Propolis Brewing (2457 Jefferson Street) has been producing award winning handcrafted herbal ales since 2012, using 100% local organic ingredients, like wild nettles, elderflower, lavender, salmonberries, strawberries, brewed in the tradition of old world European ales (check hours). The taproom and brewhouse is inside an old industrial building, with plenty of cosy seating to relax and sample the ales.
Port Townsend Brewing Company (330 10th Street) brews over 10 ales, served in a cheerful taproom with a small beer garden outside (check hours, must be 21+).
19. Driving loop to see 4 cideries/meaderies near Port Townsend.
The Olympic Peninsula is at the forefront of a cider and mead boom, so check out these 4 popular options near Port Townsend.
Finnriver Cidery (124 Center Road, Chimacum) is located at an old 1950s dairy on a spectacular piece of farmland, 15 minutes south of Port Townsend. There's so much to do here! Enjoy a meal or live music in the rustic pavilion, sample cider flights or drafts in the taproom, check out the gift shop, or relax on the lawned area overlooking the orchard (check hours). Choose from a wide array of ciders, made from apples homegrown at Finnriver's orchard or at other Washington State orchards. There are also fortified fruit wines that are distilled at Admiralty Distillers in Port Townsend.
Wilderbee Farm (223 Cook Ave Ext) is in a bucolic, country setting, 7 minutes west of Port Townsend's downtown (check hours). The best time to visit is during summer, when the fields are open for u-pick flowers. The gorgeous tasting room at Wilderbee Farm is housed in a barn known as the Meadery, and serves a variety of meads, also commonly referred to as honey wine. There's also a gift shop a short walk away, selling exquisite woodwork, and lavender products distilled on the premises.
Eaglemount Winery/Cidery (1893 South Jacob Miller Road) is a 10 minute drive southwest of Port Townsend (check hours). Eaglemount is at the site of a historic 12-acre farm and orchard, and includes a tasting room, event space and the Arcadia Inn (1908). The fruit for the cider comes from an 1880s homestead orchard, and the wine grapes are sourced from Eastern Washington.
Alpenfire Cider has a bucolic setting, 20 minutes southwest of Port Townsend (check hours).
20. Haller Fountain.
Haller Fountain is located at the bottom of the Taylor Stairs in Port Townsend, and is a bronze sculpture depicting the Greek sea nymph Galatea. It's extremely popular with tourists for photos! The original statue was placed here in 1906, donated by resident Theodore Haller, and cast by J.L. Mott Foundry in New York. After much wear and tear over the decades, the statue was replaced in 1993 using a bronze mold from the original.
The original sculpture can now be seen at the Jefferson Museum of Art & History (540 Water Street), just a 5 minute walk away.
21. Uptown Port Townsend.
Port Townsend's Uptown area is easy to get to, and is a 10 minute walk up the stairs at Haller Fountain. It's where the well to do ship captains and merchants once built their Victorian mansions, to get away from all the riff raff at the Port Townsend waterfront. Today it's home to specialty food stores, an upscale restaurant, and market.
The Fire Bell Tower (1890) in the picture below, shows you where Port Townsend's Uptown is.
Lawrence Street Provisions (1031 Lawrence Street) is inside an old gas station in Port Townsend's Uptown. It's next-door to fine dining restaurant Finistere, and is the brainchild of the restaurant's chef, who was forced to sell pasta and sauces out of her bistro due to 2020 COVID restaurant shutdowns. The concept was a hit, and gradually expanded to the space next door.
Lawrence Street Provisions sells the very best food provisions, handpicked by a top notch chef who has worked in top restaurants in Seattle and New York. Shop for limited release cheeses, charcuterie, divine pastries from Sweet Lamb Baking Co, and the chef's favorite cookbooks, spices, seasonings, and gifts. You can also enjoy the charming patio area next to the store. There's also a great selection of wine and spirits at Lawrence Street Provisions.
Pane D'Amore Artisan Bakery (617 Tyler Street) in Port Townsend's Uptown is around the corner from Lawrence Street Provisions. This European-style bakery sells fresh baked bread and pastries. The weekly baking schedule for breads includes cinammon raison, cranberry walnut, fig anise, 100% rye, and calamatta olive. There's also some mouth watering pastries, like morning glory muffins, bread pudding, triple ginger scones, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate croissants, apple danish, and cinnamon rolls. There's also a great selection of cheeses.
Aldrich's Market is one of the oldest markets in Washington State, with an incredible range of specialty foods, wines and gifts in Port Townsend Uptown. Aldrich's Market has locally sourced products, and specialty foods from around the world, like pickled peppers, black truffle olive oil, sundried tomatoes, asparagus in tasty brine, tuna in olive oil, organic fruit spreads, and chocolate fudge.
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22. Port Townsend art galleries.
Northwind Art is the biggest gallery in Port Townsend, and is a collaboration between the Northwind Art Center and Port Townsend School of the Arts. The stunning exhibition space features a variety of mediums, including oils, water colors, photography, drawings and prints. The main gallery is at 701 Water Street (check hours). You can also explore smaller galleries, like the Port Townsend Gallery (below) that features local artists.
23. Soak on the Sound.
Soak on the Sound (242 Monroe Street) offers the Pacific Northwest's only saltwater soaking tubs, in either private rooms or a community pool. Each tub contains 10 to 20 pounds of salt, with reputed health benefits like improved circulation and pain relief. You can also book finnish sauna rooms, and therapeutic massages (check hours & admission).
24. Chetzemoka Park.
Chetzemoka Park (1000 Jackson Street) is on a bluff with magnificent water views over Admiralty Inlet. This 6.53 acre park was established in 1904 by local residents, and dedicated to Indian Chief Chetzemoka who was held in high esteem by townsfolk. This is a great place for adults and kids alike, with a swinging bench and gazebo for adults, and swing set and play area for kids. Don't forget to take the stairs down to the small strip of secluded beach below.
25. Rose Theater.
Rose Theater (235 Taylor Street) is a charming independent cinema in Port Townsend's downtown, that originally opened in 1908. It has an exclusive viewing room on the third floor, known as the Starlight Room, complete with soaring water views and a plush interior. Order some small plates and wine, and cosy up in a comfy chair to watch a movie.
26. Port Townsend Antique Mall.
Port Townsend Antique Mall (802 Washington Street) has two floors full of treasures, and is an absolute delight to browse. It's more museum than mall, with fascinating collectors' pieces harking back to earlier eras.
27. Bergstroms Antique and Classic Autos.
Bergstroms Antique and Classic Autos (809 Washington Street) is inside a 1917 garage, and is chock full of restored vintage cars, and fun memorabilia like old car ads, gas pumps, car magazines and rare car parts (check hours).
28. Film locations from an An Officer and a Gentleman.
Many film buffs come to Port Townsend to identify filming locations from the hit movie An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), starring Richard Gere and Debra Winger. The film was done on a shoestring budget, but achieved tremendous commercial success.
Scenes were filmed at The Tides Inn & Suites (1807 Water Street) and N.D. Hill Building (639 Water Street) in Port Townsend. Diehard fans should also visit nearby Fort Worden, for other filming locations.
Stay in the exact same hotel room at the The Tides Inn & Suites, that Richard Gere and Debra Winger filmed in.
29. Fort Worden.
Fort Worden is 5 minutes north of Port Townsend. It has incredible scenery, including wild beaches, a lighthouse, two museums, an aquarium, and 12 miles of forested trails with gorgeous water views. Finish off the day with a meal at the Taps at the Guardhouse pub, which was formerly a military jail.
Fort Worden is a decommissioned 19th century military defense fortress that once guarded Puget Sound. Many of the historic buildings are intact, like the army barracks and Officer's Quarters, overlooking a large parade ground.
You can book overnight stays in many of these historic buildings, including the popular Alexander's Castle, apparently the site of many wedding proposals!
The 19th century Commanding Officer's Quarters is open to visitors, with three floors to explore (check hours).
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Explore miles of sandy beaches at Fort Worden, like this beach west of Point Wilson Lighthouse.
Kids will love exploring the myriad of tunnels and chambers inside the concrete military batteries. Don't forget to bring a flashlight!
30. Port Townsend Marine Science Center (Fort Worden)
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has a fun aquarium on the pier at Fort Worden, with a marine center across the road (check hours).
31. Coast Artillery Museum (at Fort Worden).
The Coast Artillery Museum has fascinating exhibits on the harbor defense system at the entrance of Puget Sound. It was designed around a "ring of fire" with three fortresses that could fire on enemy ships, to protect downstream cities like Seattle and Bremerton. Fort Worden was one of these fortresses, and was operational from the early 19th century until the end of WWII (check hours & admission).
32. Point Wilson Lighthouse.
The Point Wilson Lighthouse is also at Fort Worden, and is the tallest lighthouse in Puget Sound. Unfortunately it's not open for tours.
33. Port Townsend whale watching tours.
Port Townsend has a breathtaking waterfront setting at the convergence of Admiralty Inlet with the Strait of Juan de Fuca, best explored by booking a kayaking tour or sailing adventure. Whale watching tours are also popular.
34. Whidbey Island Ferry.
Take the 35-minute ferry crossing from downtown Port Townsend to Whidbey Island (check ferry schedule).
35. Point Hudson.
One of the most scenic walks in Port Townsend, is from the downtown area to Point Hudson, at the northernmost tip of Port Townsend. Enjoy incredible vistas over Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island and the Cascades on a wild beach with a spit.
Start at Velocity cafe inside the yellow Wooden Boat Chandlery building (431 Water Street), where you can pick up your morning coffee. The red Northwest Maritime Center is next door, and runs sailing, navigation, and boat building classes specializing in wooden boats.
The courtyard out of the front of the Northwest Maritime Building has enviable water views, and overlooks a beach and pier.
Walk out along the pier for a panoramic viewpoint across the historic waterfront at Port Townsend. Not much has changed in 100 years!
Continue around the marina to the cluster of historic, white buildings scattered around Point Hudson.
Point Hudson was once used as a quarantine station in the 1930s, with a hospital, detention barracks and disinfectant building, and was the first port of call for anyone entering the United States through Puget Sound. The old quarantine buildings are now mostly used for restaurants today.
Continue past the restaurants to see the long stretch of sandy beach that ends at the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden. Always check tide levels before walking on this beach.
The sandy spit at Point Hudson is covered in sand flats that house crabs, shrimp and fish.
It's an amazing area for bird watching, with double-crested cormorants, harlequin ducks, and sanderlings.
On a clear day, snowcapped Mount Baker is also visible from Point Hudson.
Point Hudson was first discovered in 1792 by Captain George Hudson, who identified it as a safe harbor with good access to freshwater. Unfortunately the Native Americans who had used this area as a campground for 8,000 years, were gradually displaced after Port Townsend was settled.
What attractions are near Port Townsend?
Port Townsend is surrounded by things to do. Some of the best attractions include historic Port Gamble, the 5-mile Dungeness Spit at Sequim, spectacular Hurricane Ridge with soaring views across the Olympic Mountains, breathtaking Lake Crescent, and the unique Olympic Game Farm, where elk, bison and zebras roam freely in a safari-like setting.
- Fort Worden - 1 mile north
- Wilderbee Farm - 3 miles west
- Finnriver Cidery - 10 miles S
- Fort Flagler - 16 miles SE
- Port Gamble - 28 miles south. Continue past Port Gamble to Point No Point Lighthouse.
- Dungeness Spit - 38 miles west
- Olympic Game Farm - 38 miles west
- Hurricane Ridge - 65 miles southwest
- Lake Crescent - 68 miles west
Can I do a walking tour of Port Townsend?
You can do a self guided walking tour of Port Townsend's mansions and notable buildings. Pick up a map at the Jefferson Museum (504 Water Street).
Walking Tour of Downtown Port Townsend:
Before starting your walk, cast your mind back to the 1880s when Port Townsend was a rough and tumble port, full of merchants, sea captains, sailors, and lumber barons. Wealthy investors poured money into ornate buildings along Water Street, and elaborate mansions on the hilltop. With its deep harbor and easy access to Asian ports, they were betting that Port Townsend would become the biggest port on the West Coast. The only thing they needed was a railway.
However, despite the best efforts of the town's wealthiest men, the railroad never came to fruition. The financial crisis of 1893 sounded the final death knell on Port Townsend, leading to a period of long economic decline. Port Townsend has since re-invented itself as a major tourist town.
Let's start the walking tour:
Hastings Building (1889) is a blue romanesque-style building, still owned by original descendants of the Hastings Estate Company.
James & Hastings Building (1888-1889) was built in the italianate style in 1851, constructed at the site of the first log cabin in Port Townsend. Its first tenant was a merchant selling apparel, footwear, and dry goods.
Palace Hotel (1889) originally housed a rowdy billiard parlor and three saloons, with apartments for rent on the upper floors. During the 1920's to the mid-1930's the upper floors operated as a brothel to cater to all the sailors and merchants, until they were abruptly shut down!
N.D Hill Building (1889) was constructed to house a pharmacy, by pharmacist Nathaniel Davis Hill. It subsequently became the Deville Hotel in 1928, then long term apartments with a tavern on the ground floor from 1929 to 2001. Do you recognize this red building from the fight scene in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)? Most of this movie was filmed around Port Townsend and nearby Fort Worden.
McCurdy Building (1887) was built for the widow of Port Townsend's first doctor.
Pioneer Building/ F.W Pettygrove Building (1889) housed the Bank of Washington for one year until the bank collapsed in 1890.
Bishop Building (1891) first operated as an insurance and law firm, and the upper floors were rented out as apartments.
These four green cottages were transported to Port Townsend to house railroad workers, just prior to the economy collapsing in the 1890s. You can now stay overnight in these cute cottages at the Swan Hotel.
Walking tour of Uptown mansions:
Pick up a self guided walking tour map of Uptown at the Jefferson Museum (504 Water Street), to see the gorgeous homes and buildings that grace Uptown Port Townsend.
Back in the day the more affluent citizens lived in the Uptown District, away from the rough elements of downtown Port Townsend. To get to Uptown Port Townsend, climb the Taylor Stairs behind Haller Fountain.
Starrett House (1889) is one of Port Townsend's grandest residences, constructed in the Gothic and Stick style. It was occupied by Henry and Ann Starrett. Henry was a contractor from Maine, hoping to take advantage of Port Townsend's booming economy in the late 1880s. The mansion has an incredible, spiral staircase, capped with a 70-foot dome, with a mural of a solar calendar.
Frank Bartlett House (1883) is at the top of the Taylor Stairs, with magnificent bluff views and a french-style mansard roof. This 14-room mansion was built by young entrepreneur, Frank Bartlett.
Fillmore Street house was built in 1862.
Frank Wilcox James House (1891) was built by an English immigrant, who was head inspector for the Customs House, and later amassed a fortune as a merchant. The Queen Anne-style residence has three distinctive chimneys, bay windows, and a shingled facade on the upper floor.
Harry Barthrop House (1880) has the appearance of a Swiss chalet, complete with flower boxes. Harry Barthrop was killed in a hunting accident, but his wife Bertie lived in the house until 1947.
Landes House on Franklin Street, was built in 1871 by Colonel Henry Landes, who expanded this grand house in 1888. Landes was a prominent citizen, and launched the First National Bank of Port Townsend, also serving as a State Senator.
Captain DeLion House (1883) is an italianate style house, built by Captain DeLion who invested in a shipping business. He took his own life after suffering divorce and a bankruptcy.
Horace Tucker House (1867) is an italianate style house on Franklin Street. It was built by Horace Tucker, who was both mayor of Port Townsend and a prominent home builder.
Jefferson County Courthouse (1892) was designed in the romanesque-revival style, and is one of the most striking buildings in Port Townsend, with an 143 foot clock tower, and jail in the basement. No expense was spared on this government building, when it seemed certain Port Townsend would become the next major city.
The US Post Office and Customs House (1893) on Washington Street in Port Townsend was constructed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It took eight years to build, designed by two Chicago architects. Construction started during a period of great prosperity for Port Townsend, before the economy collapsed.
Trinity United Methodist Church was established in 1854, and constructed in 1871. It's the oldest church in Port Townsend.
St Paul's Episcopal Church was built in 1865, in the gothic revival style. It's on the corner of Jefferson and Tyler streets in Port Townsend.
The Old Parish Hall on Jefferson Street, was built in 1865.
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