Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend: Historic Uptown

A wonderful resource for old and young alike, this is located in a big park in the center of Uptown, and has two floors devoted to recreation, education and services.  There are kids games downstairs, lots of classes for adults upstairs, (yoga, stretching and low impact aroebics) meals for seniors, and often art shows or craft shows and sales.   Seniors have access to county resource lists, and can have their blood pressure checked by an RN.

On Saturday morning the Farmer's Market is in the closed off street out in front, and people sit on the grass listening to the entertainers.  There is also a great tot lot. 

Port Townsend's newest Mexican eatery is located on a 1.4 acre parcel that was being marketed as a permitted parcel for a retail/commercial  center on the corner of San Juan and F Streets, with an asking price of around  $799,000.  The artists rendering showed retail stores on the bottom with condos on the top with parking.   This area is on the edge of Uptown and the Happy Valley neighborhoods.  I am sure one of these days we will see this new center constructed and fully occupied, and Ilook forward to that as I will be able to walk to it. 

For now, we have Bub's Taco wagon and every time I drive by I wonder "why didn't I think of that?"  The cars are lined up in the bicycle lane from 11:30 to 5:30 Mon-Fri. and I hear the food is great.   People seem to be enjoying the outdoor dining experience, some sitting on the grass, others occupying a few chairs and most standing around visiting while they eat. 

I love Spring, not only for the flowers and sunshine, but also doesn't hurt that real estate comes to life in our town.   All winter we have had not much activity and not many new listings, but this month we have had some interesting new listings and some very fast sales. 

The Uptown neighborhood is the original townsite that was settled in the early late 1800's.  Port Townsend was in the height of it's boom and there were grand buildings erected and ornate Victorian homes for those that could afford it.  Most of them have survived over the years and are favorites of our of area buyers. 

The first one that comes to mind is my own listing that went into escrow after 2 weeks.

Single level with beautiful gardens and wrap around decking. (Not a Victorian, built in 1987, one of a few single level homes in the area.

$299,000

Clay street Victorian priced at $322,000 in escrow after less than a week.

John L Scott's latest Uptown offering.  Built in 1888, the lovely Victorian home is offered at $310,000. 

This home has not been on the market for the past 30 years and is in almost original condition with some original woodwork and oak floors. 

Close to retail center of Uptown, including Aldrich's, Uptown Theater, and Saturday Farmer's Market. 

Once in a while we have the opportunity to market a home that has never been on the market before and there is so much interest, it is really exciting.  This is the case with my newest listing in the "Uptown" area of Port Townsend.  Uptown was settled by the original founding families of Port Townsend in the late 1800's and is also referred to as "Original Townsite" in the public records.  Most of the lots are small, a legal and typical lot in Uptown is 50 x 100.  There are a few that are smaller and homes are "grandfathered in".

1026 Adams Street, Port Townsend, WA

Built in 1987 for current owners and well maintained over the years.  2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths with one floor convenient layout.  Very efficient wood burning stove, kitchen with eating area, wrap around deck, tile roof, and 2 car garage.

Offered at $299,000.

Lowest priced home in Port Townsend's favorite neighborhood called "Uptown".  The original townsite is where the early  proper families settled to get away from the rif raf at the harbor.  The early settler's built their homes with concerns for weather so not all have water views but may have shelter from the bluffs. 

This cottage  was built in 1940 and is loaded with charming features, including a large window looking over the large wood deck and Olympic Mountain views.  It has one bedroom with full bath, and a second romm that could be a guest room with it's own entry, or an office.  Great for weekend getaways,   downsizing, or investment.   $225,000

Port Townsend, WA is a postcard perfect setting with gorgeous water and mountain views, nature abounding everywhere and fun things to do.  If we are not having a celebration or festival (Rhodie, Wooden Boat, Film, Jazz, Blues, Fiddles) you can spend many hours shopping in our delightful and innovative gift and shops and art galleries, or dining in some very good and interesting restaurants.  For the nature lovers, we have a long and pristine shoreline to walk and explore, mountains to climb, bicycle and kayak rentals, and miles of walking trails.   Take the whole family on an exciting whale watching excursion to picturesque Friday Harbor, or day trip to Victoria, BC or Hurricane Ridge. 

Some suggestions for short or longer stays:

"Almost Uptown Cottage"  New to the rental market this  year, and 1/2 mile from Uptown, near Fort Worden and Downtown.  Sleeps 2-4 and ranges from $125-150 per night.

Private location with loft bedroom, full kitchen and bathroom, wrap around deck, turnkey furnished, large flat screen tv sets, 30 movie channels in HD. www.porttownsendcottagerental.com 

"Birdnest Cottage"  Located two blocks from Fort Worden and beaches, this is your home away from home.  Cozy living room with fireplace, entertainments center, door to front balcony with ocean view, fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom with king bed, loft with 2 twins, and sparkling full bathroom. 

Sleeps 4-6 and ranges from $185 per night.

www.birdnestcottage.com

For a simpler space I recommend "A Garden Cottage"  located near Uptown.  This is a new and very sweet studio with sun porch, comfortable furnishings, and kitchenette for coffee and snacks. Sleeps 2 and ranges from $90-$150 per night.

www.agardencottagegetaway.com

 Enjoy!

Port Townsend Carnegie Library in Uptown

                                                                                 A gift from Andrew Carnegie, this incredible library is housed in it's original 1898 building (with the exception of an add on from early 1990 when the town had outgrown the original building.)   A group of women organized in the late 1890's  for the purpose of building a new Library, and first bought the land, then obtained a grant from the Carnegie Library Foundation. 

 The architecture followed the guidelines of the foundation and has the look of a charming  art deco building. The front steps are no longer used, but are still grand and stately.  There is a children's section with lots of story telling and special program.  There is a room for DVD's, VCR's and special books.  

 Upstairs there is a fireplace at each end of the room, although they are no longer in use.  There are several computers and the library offers the Virtual version.     Well run and stocked this is a great library.  There are still no book late charges or fines, just a conscience jar!

Port Townsend's Key City Theater   Now 50 years old, and still going strong with exciting plans for a new theater.  The group has performed it's plays in venues all over the city, the first one in 1958, held at the public golf course in the dining room with the performance sold out. They moved around to places like the Elks Club, 20 years in the old Scandinavian Church, and then moved to the high school auditorium.  Currently the Key City Players are in a storefront building just off Water Street that seats 48 people and performances are continually sold out.      The first step toward the new building was the purchase of a commercial lot on Lawrence Street in Port Townsend.  This was possible through a donation from a benefactor for $300,000.  Plans are for a 2 story building with a footprint of 8500 sq. ft.  In addition to 150 seats it will include a shop, lobby, office, restrooms, greenroom, dressing rooms and storage.  

  This weekend they are featuring the Playwrights Festival with 3 award winning one act plays chosen from the Port Townsend Arts Commission 2009 One Act Play Competition.  This is sure to be a hit as always with SRO.

Above is the new location on Lawrence Street.

This is the current location on Washington Street.  This seats 48 people. 

Bread for Haiti

People in the  small town of Port Townsend are doing what they can, and there are examples in every corner of our daily life.  One that stands out is my favorite  bakery.

Sunday Jan. 24 the Pain d Amore Bakery baked twice the amount of bread for the day and gave all the proceeds($12,000+) to Haiti relief. 

Besides being a benevolent family owned business, they have bread and pastries that are the best you will ever have.  Located Uptown they have a small bakery with benches in front, hot coffee, newsapaper and a water bowl for Bowser. 

Port Townsend Gingerbread House Contest

Historic Port Townsend Sites appear in Gingerbread House contest sponsored annually by Aldriches Market in Uptown Port Townsend. 

 The artistic and talented people in Port Townsend turn out with some interesting "Gingerbread Houses" and here are two of my favorites this year.  On display at Aldriches Market throughout the Christmas season, and looking good enough to eat!

Port Townsend Bell Tower

Erected in late 1890's to call the volunteer firemen, and through a bell code, could tell them where to meet.  It was renovated after 2000 with grants and donations totalling over $140,000 and is the last one of it's type left in our country. 

Point Wilson Lighthouse

 The original light dates back to 1879, and is under the control of the US Coast Guard and is occupied by the crew of the  Port Townsend Cutter the Osprey.   The current building was built in 1913, and is no longer needed for navigation, so will be turned over to Fort Worden State Park.