Category: Day Trip

The other courthouse

In yesterday’s post I showed you the Clallam County Courthouse. Coincidentally, yesterday I went to Port Townsend and passed by the Jefferson County Courthouse, above, so you get to see the grand courthouse of our neighboring county. Built in 1892, the building is Romanesque Revival and designed by W.A. Ritchie. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

The courthouse was built during a booming, optimistic era in Port Townsend. Its natural deep water harbor at the mouth of Puget Sound made it a perfect destination for sailing ships coming into the Pacific Northwest. Port Townsend was a key West Coast shipping center and its beautiful Victorian era buildings reflect its growing wealth.

The arrival of railroads at the southern end of Puget Sound bypassed the region and changed Port Townsend’s fortunes. Lumber and eventually shipbuilding and an arts community contributed to Port Townsend’s survival and today it’s a popular tourist hub.

Musical greetings

Yesterday’s subject was rock and roll. It reminded me of another musical interlude I experienced in August. This bag piper greeted arriving visitors at the hotel where we stayed in Victoria. Mind you, he wasn’t stationed at the door for us. I was told he was there for a tour group. That group, unlike us, paid the piper.

Alexander’s Castle

We camped for a night recently at Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend. Fort Worden is a compound of former military buildings that now house a conference center, education partnerships, vacation rentals, and eateries as well as campgrounds and beaches. And in the midst of it all is Alexander’s Castle, shown above.

In 1883 the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend, John B. Alexander, acquired 10 acres of land in this area and built what came to be known as Alexander’s Castle. He and his intended bride would live here after he fetched her from Scotland. Alas, she married another and he returned a bachelor. He used the building as a temporary residence. In 1897 the property was acquired by the federal government and the construction of Fort Worden began.

In the 1880s and 1890s Alexander held posts in the region as Honorary British Vice-Consul and Her Majesty’s Consul. In his later years he lived in England and died there in the 1930s. During military operations at the Fort, Alexander’s Castle was used for family living, as an observation post, and a tailor shop.

Luxury ride

I spied this golden oldie parked on a side street in Port Townsend. If I’m not mistaken it’s a LaSalle, probably a 1930 vintage. LaSalles were luxury cars produced by Cadillac from 1927 to 1940. The one looks like it may be getting restored.

I was wowed by the Art Deco hood ornament.

It’s a real beauty. I’m sure it will be worth the effort to restore it. Click here if you’re interested in more information about these vehicles.

Victorians

We met friends for dinner in Port Townsend recently. We arrived early enough to enjoy the views in the late afternoon sun. I love the detailing on many of Port Townsend’s historic buildings.

This 1889 building currently houses the Waterstreet Hotel.

This building has recently been gutted and is being upgraded and strengthened. The beautiful exterior remains in place.