OUR HISTORIC PLACES Continued from previous page
Rothschild House (1868), 836 Jefferson St. Considered a pristine example of national folk architecture, it has never been remodeled, and has not been lived-in since 1953. The Rothschild family in 1959 donated the property to Washington State Parks; it’s considered the smallest state park in Washington. It’s managed as a museum by the Jefferson County Historical Society, offering an insightful look into prosperous middle-class household life during Port Townsend’s boom period. James C. Saunders House (1891), along the Sims Way S Curve. Sparingly applied to the Queen Anne design are decorative details of the Colonial Revival. Three distinctive exterior features are the verandah, the attic balcony and the dormer windows. Although the interior includes a mix of styles, it clearly represents an attempt to emulate the height of eastern seaboard fashion. Ferdinand Schlager House (relocated here in 1905), 810 Rose St. Late Victorian architecture. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (1865), Corner of Jefferson & Tyler. Gothic Revival architecture. George & Ann Starrett House (1889), 744 Clay St. Queen Anne architecture. An eight-sided dome tower includes a unique solar calendar. Ruby–colored glass was installed in each of the tower’s small dormer windows. When when the sun shines on the first day of each season, a ruby red light shines toward one of the four angelic maidens that represents that season, a tribute to George’s wife. Andrew Stegerwald House (1890), 1710 Fir St. It’s a handsome example of a simple Victorian cottage that has been enhanced by elaborate decorative details. The attention paid to the interior millwork is probably due to the original owner being a contractor. John Trumbull House (1891), 925 Wilson St. Queen Anne architecture. It’s a fine example of a Port Townsend house built by local craftsmen using locally available materials. Horace Tucker House (1867), 706
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Christian Andrews stands outside the Ann Starrett Mansion at 744 Clay St. in Port Townsend on March 24, 2017. He and wife Cima have purchased the historic mansion from Bob and Edel Sokol for $775,000. Photo by Chris Tucker
Franklin St. Horace Tucker joined his father in Port Townsend in 1862, and built many of the early houses, including the Rothschild House. U.S. Customs House (1893), 1322 Washington St. Richardson Romanesque architecture. It was touted at the time to be the best constructed federal building in the U.S. Most of the Customs Office duties were transferred to Seattle in 1911; the building has mostly been used since as a post office. Milo P. Ward House (1889), 1707 Jackson St. The house is a handsome example of a small Victorian residence built during the city’s boom period, on “speculation” that it would soon be sold. Except for the removal of a bay window, this home remains mostly in
National Historic Landmarks in Jefferson County: Fort Worden Historical State Park and the Port Townsend Historic District. 28 • 2018 PROFILE • PORT TOWNSEND & JEFFERSON COUNTY LEADER
its original state including fireplace tiles and ceiling medallions. JEFFERSON COUNTY Sen. William Bishop House & Office (1900), also known as the Brown House, 124 Center Road, Chimacum. Chimacum Post Office original site, Rhody Drive, Chimacum. Duckabush River Bridge (1934) is a rare concrete arch bridge on U.S. Highway 101 along Hood Canal. Fort Flagler Historical State Park (1897-1899), Marrowstone Island. This was the first of the big three Puget Sound Harbor Defense posts (Fort Worden and Fort Casey) to be activated by the U.S. Army Coast Artillery. It was deactivated by the military in 1953, and soon became a state park. Galster House (1890) also known as Ajax Cafe, 21 S. Water St. in Lower Hadlock. It was a key part of the settlement Samuel Hadlock laid out in 1886. Hamilton-Worthington House (1891-92), 101 E. Columbia St., Quil-
cene. Considered the only Victorian era house in Jefferson County outside of Port Townsend. Irondale Historic District (19001924) was a mix of commercial and residential property dependent upon the Western Steel Corporation’s iron and steel works along the waterfront. The smelter business opened in 1910 and failed by 1913. Irondale Jail (1911), Moore St. Visible from the street leading to the public beach in Irondale, the jail building is being overgrown with brambles. Johnson House (circa 1892), also known as Lybeck House, 287 Flagler Rd., Marrowstone Island. The house is significant because the Johnson family was one of the first to build permanent homes on Marrowstone Island. Kuhn Spit Archaeological Site (prehistoric), Port Townsend Bay. Methodist Episcopal Church (1903), Randolph & Curtiss streets, Port Hadlock. Nelson House (circa 1900), Freeman Road, Marrowstone Island. Earl Oatman House (1913), also known as Crowell House, Muncie St., Quilcene. The one-story house has bungalow and classical revival characteristics, and is part of the original townsite of Quilcene. Quilcene-Quinault Battleground Site (1825-1849). Native American battle site. Quilcene Ranger Station (1918), 61 Herbert St., Quilcene. Hanna Rover House (circa 1912), also known as Nieminen House, Center Road. Hans Swanson House (1909), Swansonville Road, Port Ludlow. Portage Canal Bridge (1952), connected Indian and Marrowstone islands with the Quimper Peninsula, across what opened in 1915 as the Portage Canal, or the Port Townsend Ship Canal, a “shortcut” connecting Port Townsend Bay with Oak Bay. Saint’s Rest (circa 1890), Tukey’s Pioneer Cabin, and Homestead House (1851), 3710 S. Discovery Road. Seal Rock Shell Mounds (Late Prehistoric), Brinnon. Capt. Peter Shibles House (1895), Curtiss St., Port Hadlock. Tollef Sole House (circa 1890), 275 Flagler Rd. Marrowstone Island. Tamanowas Rock, a 150-foot rock sacred to the Coast Salish people, Chimacum vicinity. “Tamanowis” means “spirit power.” An effort to acquire the private property began in