KITSAP PENINSULA (Day 13 - part 2)

The bay was originally named Port Townshend by Captain George Vancouver (for his friend the Marquis of Townshend) in 1792. It was immediately recognized as a good safe harbor, and by the late 19th century, Port Townsend was a well-known seaport. Many ornate Victorian structures were built during that time. Fortunately, when the economy rapidly declined in the 1890's, there was no money to tear them down or build over them, so there were essentially preserved for nearly 100 years, at which point they became valued and protected.

Beautiful old Victorian buildings

The marina... and Union Wharf

Union Wharf was first built in this spot in 1867. The current wharf is designed smaller, higher and at a different angle to help support the beds of eelgrass that flourish below the waves.

The old ferry dock... with Union Wharf in the far distance

A long climb up to the old bell tower from 1890, which was used to call volunteer fire fighters to their posts. It was restored in 2003.

A view of the city and bay from the hill

Charming houses on the hill

We headed over to Chetzemoka Park, a lovely park and flower garden overlooking Admiralty Inlet. It was established in 1904 and honors Cheech-Ma-Ham (1808 - 1888), a chief of the S’Klallam. He was 40 years old when the first white settlers arrived at Port Townsend. They found his name difficult to pronounce so they changed it to Chetzemoka.

The Columbian black-tailed deer is a subspecies of the mule deer.

The rose trellis ... Ric and a new friend!

The gazebo... and a cute park map showing the gazebo, the rose trellis... and Cosmo, the park cat (we didn't see him though!)

The park's beach... A seagull enjoys the view of Admiralty Inlet

Dusk was approaching, so we did a quick drive through of Fort Worden State Park. Fort Worden was an active US army base from 1902 to 1953, with the purpose of protecting Puget Sound. It was named after U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John Lorimer Worden, commander of the USS Monitor during the American Civil War. It then served as a juvenile detention facility and finally became a state park in 1973.

The lighthouse... and the fading rays of the day

The original Point Wilson lighthouse was activated in 1879. This one was built in 1913 and has been closed to the public since its automation in 1976.

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