Port Townsend Real Estate : Washington: Port Townsend: Historic Uptown

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.

Uptown Neighborhood

By far the most popular place to call home in Port Townsend due to its great location close to everything, and it's Victorian architecture, preserved since the early 1880's.  Chance and circumstances have saved this wonderful little town from the remodel and tear down of these historic homes and buildings.  From the earliest recession in the 1890's when the planned railroad went to Seattle instead, this shipping port saw many downturns and setbacks which led to unemployment and isolation.

 Today, we still have those issues, but people who can manage to live here enjoy the tradeoff for small town atmosphere, lack of crime and traffic, clean air, charming ambience, and breathtaking scenic beauty.

Uptown is the area on the bluff above the waterfront, a neighborhood preferred by the early families moving to the area to get away from saloons, busy wharf activity, and unsavory characters.  Not much thought was given to ocean views by those building the magnificent Victorians, but I suspect a respite from ocean winds and easy access to stores and shops. 

Homes in the Uptown area have charm in common, and range from small bungalows to large Victorian Mansions and of 4000+ square feet.  Lot sizes range from 5000 to 10000 sq. ft.  Prices range from $239,000 to $1,000,000 +.

The uptown retail area is anchored by the Aldrich's market and has restaurants, shops, theater, and medical offices.  There is a stairway that will take you right down to the main street of town.  This photo was taken at 3:00 in the afternoon on a winter day.                         

My listing at 1234 Franklin Street in Port Townsend, Washington was built by one of Port Townsend's most interesting characters named Captain Henry Tibbals.

Capatain Tibbals was instrumental in the building of the Union Wharf, The Pioneer Hotel, built in 1858, and the Palace Hotel which is still an active hotel in operation today on Water Street.  (On tour this weekend in the Victorian Home Tour). 

Tibbals was also a county Representative and also  held many other public offices. He was also a sheriff, a deputy U.S. Marshall, and built a race track and 18 other buildings in Port Townsend. Captain Tibbals had a colorful and turbulent career ending in alcoholism and poverty and died in 1920 in the county poor house.

Captain Tibbals erected this modest Victorian house in 1890 and it is believed to have been for one of his daughters, along with 2 other houses next door, with his own larger 2 story home on the corner.

This historical listing is priced at $499,000 and is  Open this Saturday from 2 - 4 pm, the forecast is for sunshine. Come by and say hi.

 Port Townsend's annual Victorian Home Tour is coming up this weekend on September 19^th  and 20^th.    Port Townsend is one of 4 Victorian Seaports on the National Register, and has a wonderful collection of well preserved or re-habed homes, mostly from the late 1800's.  These lovely homes can be toured inside with self guided tour or with the aid of the homeowners and docents on hand, dressed in period costumes and all very knowledgeable about the history of Port Townsend.

The money raised goes to support the Jefferson Health Care Auxiliary and is also sponsored by the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce. 

 Return to my website:

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net

On tour this Saturday and Sunday:

(You can see all these properties on Saturday or Sunday or see part each day)

Horton Bendixen House  Circa 1889   1706 Clay Street

 Built as a spec house and moved to it's present location in 1905.

                                                                               Daniel Hill House Circa 1862  411 Fillmore

                                           Originally built as a simple farmhouse

Captain Thomas and Lizzie Grant House

731 Pierce Street

      Italian style Villa, typical of the local fashion

                                                                                   Chapel Bay  Circa 1850 821 Jefferson              

                                                                                           821 Jefferson Street

               This years tea house where tea and cookies are served.  The chapel is said to have been brought by barge from Bellingham in the 1800's and was used as the parish hall for St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Siebenbaum Building     1917

815 Washington Street

    Antique Auto Museum

                                                                                          First Presbyterian Church Circa 1876

                                                                                                       1111 Franklin Street

                                             Built in stages from 1875 to present

Clark Aldrich House   Circa 1889

1123 Van Ness

    Built as a rental house, an example of a simple home built during Port Townsend's "boom period" in the early 1890's.

                                         Lucinda Hastings House  Circa 1891

                                                                                        514 Franklin Street

                                           3642 square feet, with view of bay and

                                           and had 5 fireplaces.  Recently sold for

                                           over $900,000.

  Plus, the Palace Hotel on Water Street.  Built in 1889 for Captain Tibbals.  Also, the Commanding Officer's Quarters at Fort Worden.   Circa 1930's and furnished with period furnishings. 

A glimpse into this wonderful whacky place called Port Townsend.  It seems every weekend has a festival or reason to celebrate.  Life is short!

Last weekend on a gorgeous sunny day, it was the "Uptown Street Fair".   Held in the Uptown business section on Lawrence Street at Tyler,  beginning with the popular Farmer's Market, it  featured live music most of the day, a 5 minute parade in which anyone can participate, a beer garden with local brew on tap and lots of food, arts and  crafts.  People enjoy the opportunity to mingle, greet neighbors, hear upbeat music, shop for food and art, and have a beer on draft. 

Coming in September check out the Wooden Boat Festival, Kayak Symposium, and the Port Townsend Film Festival. 

 http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Uptown Cottage...Lowest priced on the market. 

Location everyone wants...close to uptown restaurants, shops and market.  Original Townsite with historic Victorians, cottages, and landmarks. 

1 bedroom plus bonus room, 1 bath Yr. Blt. 1940

Sweet '40's cottage on sunny corner lot in Uptown.  Hardwood flooring, picture window with mountain view, bedroom with French doors leading to large wood deck, 2nd room for office or guests, efficient kithen, full bath with tub and shower.  Good investment or starter home, retirement home, or getaway cottage. Great  price at $249,500.  www.johnlscott.com/45891 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

Bigger and better than ever.

Located at Lawrence and Tyler, this open air
forum for local farmers and artistic craftsmen
to display and sell their products has been
operating seasonally for 17 years.

The market started in 1992 with 14 local growers
of organic and specialty produce. There are currently over 90 vendors including artisans, wine, cheese,
breads, pastries, soaps, lavendar and food vendors.


The market has Port Townsend's unique flavor and
features live music, cooking demonstations, non-
profit projects.

It is held every saturday during the warmer seasons
and on Wednesday a smaller merket is held on
Polk St. 3.30 - 6.30

For more information and schedule please
visit: http://farmersmarket.org

For Port Townsend Real Estate help or information please visit my interactive website.
http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/