Poulsbo is a town on the Kitsap Peninsula. It’s about an hour’s drive from Sequim and is notable for it’s quaint downtown. Like much of the Pacific Northwest it was an early destination for Scandinavians and some shops and local events celebrate Poulsbo’s Norwegian heritage.
In the 1880s Poulsbo was 90 percent Norwegian and this was the common language spoken well into the 1920s. A welcome sign coming into town says “Velkommen” and is posted next to a large carved Viking figure. Rosemaling, a painted folk art design, decorates buildings here and there in Poulsbo.
It’s so cute and quaint!
I am fascinated by the number of Norwegian immigrants that found their way to Washington state. What was the attraction, I wonder?
I would like this a lot. I have some Norwegian heritage, but I’ve always considered that my “bad” side. Heh, heh. A number of my relatives, Norwegian and Swedish, headed west from Minnesota to end up in Washington and Oregon. I wouldn’t be surprised if some were here.
In fact, my mom’s cousin, Ole (Norwegian) and his wife went into an electronics store and asked to see some radios. The clerk asked Ole if he wanted AM or FM or both? Ole’s wife piped up and said, “Well, ya shure, we would vant both. We vant FM so’s we can listen in the afternoon, too, ya know.”
What a neat looking little town!! The holiday lights really add a nice ‘festive’ appeal to the town. I also have Norwegian ancestors who left Minnesota (Detroit Lakes area of Minnesota) for Washington state.
Beautiful colours in the buildings!
Poulsbo is absolutely charming.
A charming town that I would love to see in person.
Looks like a great place to visit. You make a wonderful tour guide.