Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend

PORT TOWNSEND'S HAUNTED BUILDINGS 

 Port Townsend is a favorite place for some amateur ghost hunters, and their findings include 3 well known historical buildings.  Using film, digital cameras, audio and video recording systems, and computerized surveilance gear they feel they can determine extra paranormal activity.  They feel Port Townsend is one of the most haunted communities in the state of Washington.   

 The "Commander's House" at Fort Worden showed some "orbs" (not visible to the naked eye) in photograpy taken by a  team of "ghost hunters" that visited Port Townsend  in 2006.   Built in the late 1800's and open to the public as a museum, this wonderful home overlooks the Parade Grounds at the fort. 

Another rich field was the Manressa Castle (built in 1891)  with many local ghost stories, surely embellished over the years,  The group found a lot of unexplained activity in the attic  and orbs have been photographed there as well.   Some hotel guests have reported individual incidences ( a broken grandfather clock in the foyer that chimes, ghostly shapes and cold breezes.)    Film crews come regularly to the former Jesuit seminary to photograph in hopes of finding some evidence.   

The Palace Hotel (1889) is the favorite place of ghosts in the downtown area of Port Townsend.  Average tourists have reported many stories of unusual activity ( a strange presesence)  and employees have also seen or felt strange things at the hotel.  

 Atop the staircase is a large portrait of the Lady in Blue, a mournful, mysterious woman from decades ago whose legend paints her as having ties to a former brothel that operated at the hotel from 1925 to 1933. The spirit of the Lady in Blue is believed to leave the portrait to walk the Palace halls in search of a lost lover.

Happy Halloween!

 Port Townsend Waterfront Homes Part Three

Kala Point Waterfront Homes

A 5 or 6 minute drive just outside downtown Port Townsend, Kala Point is a wonderful gated community with acres of green belt, tall oaks and pines, miles of trails and beautiful custom built northwest style homes on large 1/3 acre + lots.  Subdivided in the late 70's, this beautiful little community has wide tree lined streets, low density, a gorgeous beach and lagoon with small pier, boat launch and area for your kayaks; large clubhouse with pool, library, and social/card-room;  tennis courts and well maintained walking paths throughout.  Most amazing are the low $65 per month HOA fees.   

Waterfront homes are not often available, and one just sold last month  in the mid $700's with less than 30 days on the market. 

Still available:

Lovely Custom waterfront bluff home(½ acre lot) on quiet cul de sac that is shared with only 2 other homes.  Incredible views of shipping lanes, Port Townsend city views, Mt. Baker and Indian Island.  Gloriously peaceful and quiet. with eagles soaring overhead.    This well appointed home is just over 2000 sq. feet with views from every room from huge wood trimmed windows, large deck and over-sized garage.  Great value in the high $600's.

For more information regarding this or other homes in the Port Townsend, Port Ludlow area please call me at 360-301-5151

 Port Townsend Waterfront Homes     

Looking for an escape from congestion, crime,  smog and traffic?  Check out our beautiful Pacific Northwest and you will be surprised! Compare your city to Port Townsend area:

 ·     Fresh air without smog

·     Minimal  crime rate

·     Low  density of homes and people

·     Rainfall below 19 inches per year

·     No state income tax

·     Small town living with easy access to major cities

·     Scenic beauty in every direction

·     Recreational attractions abound

Welcome to Port Townsend, WA 

If you have been dreaming of a waterfront home, take a look at some very good values....

                                                                                Beckett Point/ Port Townsend

Waterfront community with views of shipping lanes and long sandy beaches.  Cottage style homes are available from $275,000 to mid $400's, with 1 to 2 bedrooms.  Walk out of your front door and greet the sea for a brisk walk, some easy fishing, or a gorgeous sunset.  Within a 10 minute drive to Port Townsend downtown, 1 hour commute to Seattle Ferry or major shopping areas. 

For more information on waterfront property in Port Townsed in all sizes and price ranges, please call me at 360-301-5151.

Waterfront Homes, Port Townsend WA

Port Townsend is a magical little  community on the Puget Sound, West of Seattle, a  2 hour commute via ferry boat and Hood Canal Bridge.  The area is surrounded by The Straits of San Juan De Fuca, beautiful forrests and snow capped mountains.  For those of you with your heart set on Waterfront property there are many bargains to be had. 

Many residents of this area who have the abiltiy to live anywhere in the world have chosen Port Townsendfor their home, whether they be boating enthusiasts, nature lovers, conservationalists, or just enjoy peaceful small town living.

Here are two available properties for your consideration.  More in Part two. 

Discovery Bay Area

Views of Discovery Bay and sunsets, 3 landscaped lots, listed below assessed value.  High $200,000s.

North Beach Area

Blufftop home with exciting views of shipping lanes, San Juan Islands and abounding wildlife.  Private and quiet with parklike setting.  High $600's.

Please visit my website for other available listings.

I would love to hear from you regarding your Port Townsend Real Estate needs.

360-301-5151

Port Townsend 27th Annual Kinetic Skulpture Race  

 This event 10 years ago was one of my first clues about  this kinky, funky little town, unlike any other! .  No one had prepared me for the antics I was about to encounter, from the racers themselves, the event organizers, the Kinetic Kops and most of the towns people dressed in the strangest and most original costumes I had ever seen.   

 The race entrants must design and build a contraption, called Kinetic Sculptures, that will run on pavement, water and through mud bogs.  They range from sophisticated and large to a bicycle enclosed in a banana shaped cover on pontoons or innertubes,  and are run by teams in costumes that range from clever to twisted.  Even more  amazing are the spectators, dressed in whatever strikes them, the crazier the better.  There will be 15 entries this year.

 Events are non stop beginning Saturday with the Wannabe Parade down Water Street, where all people in costume are welcome to march down the street to the sounds of the Port Townsend Peoples Band.    Next, comes the downhill ride to test brakes, then the water trials through the bay to test for sea worthiness.  This takes place in any kind of weather with the exception of white caps on the bay. 

   Saturday evening there is the Koronation Kostume Ball (The Rose Hips Ball) held at the American Legion (the main fundraiser for the event)  There will be dancing to music by the Turner Brothers, and admission is $15.00  Kandidates for Kween go on stage at 9:30 dressed in their zaniest costume with the theme this year: Unbirthday Teaparty. Kandidates must tell a joke, perform a talent, and offer a recipe.  The Kween and her court will reign over the main event on Sunday and carry that prestegious title till next year.  No cameras allowed, as "what happens at the Rose Hips  ball stays at The Rose Hips Ball!"  

 Sunday is the big race day, beginning at 10:30 am.when the Skulptures line up; presentations at 11 am. and race begins at low noon.  1:30 Kwicksand at Fort Worden, 2:30 Dismal Bog at the fairgrounds, 5:30 post race ceremony at Legion Hall.  

 Rules are: 

1.   Mediocrity rules
2. Bribes are expected
3.  Cheating helps  

You know you have been here too long when all this seems very normal.  Gotta run to get my costume ready!        

The 10^th anniversary of the Port Townsend Film Festival is starting today, September 24 and will run through Sunday.  The person most responsible for the success of our festival, director Peter Simpson  passed away this year, and he will be sorely missed by the community, festival staff, and volunteers. 

 Described on the program as "a film lover's block party", Port Townsend is just the perfect venue for this celebration of great films and filmmakers.  The main stage is in our beloved Rose Theater, with movies also shown at the Uptown Theater,  The Pope Marine Center, and the Upstage.

 The films are chosen by 12 Port Townsend Film Festival reviewers who screened 255 films this year to pick the 60  plus films that will be shown this weekend, some documentary, features and short films.

This year our celebrity guest will be Cloris Leachman, the Oscar and Emmy winning actress known for character roles and a long run on the Mary Tyler Show.  There will be an evening with Cloris and she will be available for an exchange with the audience.

 There is something for everyone, including free outdoor movies on the street in front of the Rose.  On Friday night they will be showing one of my favorites as a kid, An American in Paris with Gene Kelly.  There is a beer garden with drinks and light meals, and of course the best popcorn ever is served at the Rose.

The weather is perfect and I promise this will be a great experience you won't foget, so hop on a ferry and come on over!

Cielo Mare

Lots of excitement and a sense of community pride was evident last Saturday at the Port Townsend Boat Haven. 

The occasion was the launching of the beautiful custom built 127 foot yacht, the Cielo Mare.  It was wheeled out of the huge 50 ft. tall Townsend Bay Marine's shop as interested townspeople looked on, and a private party inside the shop enjoyed a catered lunch and adult beverage.  The party was hosted by the happy owners, a CA couple who love fishing in Alaska and Mexico.  Everyone was anxious to see this incredible craft and celebrate the completion of the project, which involved the 80+ full time employees of Townsend Bay Marine and at least 45 local businesses from glass etchers ( for numerous bathrooms shower doors and some wall decor)  to providers of lumber, paint, and electrical.   This was a total Jefferson County effort. 

Over 3 years in the building, and a multi-million dollar project, there has been only one larger craft built in Port Townsend which was the 162 foot Avivva, built in 1993.  The custom boat building business has waned in recent years.

 The Cielo Mare has a crew of 4, and will have a trial run this week, then back into the shop for some  finishing touches.

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

This area has very interesting shipping lanes and waterways.  This photo was taken going from Port Townsend area to Kitsap Peninsula across the Hood Canal Bridge.  Sub is most likely on it's way to the Keyport Naval Base.  Traffic is held up with each passing for about 30 to 40 min. but does not happen that often and makes a good photo op!

http://www.porttownsendrealestatesearch.net/

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.