Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend: Historic Uptown

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/

 Coming up  Aug. 22, this is always a lively and well attended event with plenty of music and good food.  Held on Lawrence Street at Taylor where the Uptown shops are anchored by Aldriches Market.  The Farmer's Market will open as usual at 9:30 with specialized tent shops of fresh produce, flowers and crafts.  A parade starts at 1:00 with everyone invited to march in costume or not. 

Music will begin at 10 am with the Port Townsend Summer Band, the Delta Rays, Mystery Band, One Mean Cheese, and belly dancing performed by Middle East Out West. 

The kids can make festival hats, do face painting, a sidewalk chalk art contest, painting and sculpting contests.  There will be an outdoor beer garden and music will continue into the evening at the Uptown Pub. 

 Very private location, close  to Uptown shops, restaurants, theater, Fort Worden and beach. 

 Newer charming guest house available for short or long term lease, furnished or unfurnished.  Built in 2006 with craftsman carpentry, high ceilings, French doors,  bamboo flooring.  Full kitchen and bath, loft bedroom with double closets, room for full size bed and desk.  Full size washer and dryer, satellite tv, wood deck and fenced yard. 

http://www.porttownsendcottagerental.com

I live around the corner from this project and yet knew nothing about it.  I was walking my dogs and came upon a class of  Port Townsend High School seniors taking a field trip to see this experimental garden which will be grown with less water than normal farms.   This farm is located in an area know as "Happy Valley" which is sheltered from the wind, and has sunshine all day. 

The land belongs to a Port Townsend citizen and was donated for this project.  The crops are  varied and planted in rows with white wooden markers.  There are 19 varieties of wheat, 18 varieties are a trial for Washington State University.  Wheat is the most widely cultivated plant in the world.  There are also rows of  flax, corn, barley, oats, amaranth (which has 16% more protein than corn, rice or wheat) and  millet, a relatively new grain for Americans (used for bird seed ).  I also saw some very beautiful and tall Sunflowers. 

Harvesting will be in July, August and September.  Hopefully, we will have some news on how the experiment went and what was produced. 

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

There is a wonderful farm in the very center of town called Collingwood Farm, complete with fields of vegetables and flowers, portable greenhouses, old farmhouse and farm stand.  I find this absolutely amazing because in the hot market of 2007 this land of approximately 4-6 acres could have been sold off for any number of residences, or mixed use projects.  This is one block from my home and a wonderful walk for me and my dogs.  There is a large parcel on the corner for sale for $1,000,000 plus zoned for retail, mixed use of condos and stores.

Sign on F Street in Port Townsend                                                                           View of fields from Non motorized trail

        Portable greenhouses                                                        Farmstand on F Street open 24 hours

Street signs on F Street. 

The vegetables from Collingwood are fresh, organic and sold at the Saturday and Wednesday Port Townsend Farmers market, as well as the vegetable stand.  Many times late at night I have stopped in at the farm stand which leaves its doors open 24 hours a day and has a payment jar using the honor system.  There are fresh vegetables, flowers, jars of honey, sauces and  organic coffee.