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Waterfront scenes

In Port Townsend this week we glanced down to the water to see Lady Washington sailing into town, obviously under power. The original Lady Washington had a long history of maritime firsts in the 18th century, including the first flagged U.S. vessel to round Cape Horn, circumnavigate Vancouver Island, and reach Japan.

The replica shown here was built in 1989 and is the Washington State ship and the state’s “Tall Ship Ambassador.” Click here to see her under sail and to learn more about her interesting history.

Not far from Lady Washington the scene was filled with maritime activity. The Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry was arriving, as was a float plane. In the lower right is a small power boat. And in the distance beyond the ferry was a sailboat. All in all it was an assortment of just about anything that floats your boat.

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.

The Courthouse

This is our Clallam County courthouse, located in Port Angeles, the next city west of Sequim. It was originally built in 1914 and has twice been restored. It was designed in Classical Revival style by architect Francis Grant.

The clock in the courthouse tower has an interesting history. It was originally manufactured in 1880 by E. Howard & Co. in Boston, then shipped around Cape Horn to Seattle. Unclaimed by a buyer, it was warehoused for 29 years until it was discovered by Francis Grant and purchased by the County for $5,115. The tower and clock were renovated in 2010-2011. Click here if you’re interested in more information about the courthouse.