Let's take a tour today through a small historic community in the Seattle area called Port Gamble. I am excited to introduce you to this little town and the historic homes that line the streets. Port Gamble is located on the Hood Canal and was, like many towns in the Northwest, a logging community that depended upon the logging business for their livelihood. In fact, prior to it's closing in 1995, the Port Gamble Mill was one of the oldest continually operative sawmills in North America.
I love the white picket fence neighborhood with the front porches that beckon you to sit and enjoy a nice glass of lemonade while watching the sunset over the Hood Canal. The streets of Port Gamble haven't really changed too much since the 1850's.
The original New England Victorian-style homes of Port Gamble have been preserved through time....along with the General Store and the stately Church of the community.
Some of the homes are private residences but a few have been turned into businesses. In the next photo, you see a yellow home which is now a busy Tea Room.
Walking on down the tree-lined street, we come across an import shop.
The front of this former residence faces the side and has a long fenced walkway to the entrance of the home which is currently a shop.
I like to browse through this shop. Baskets line the entranceway.
Here is another photo of the Tea Room. Some crumpets or warm scones and tea sound really delicious right now...
The trim on this next house looks like little hearts. Some of the homes look like little doll houses...
Here is a closeup of the trim on the house. I love the heart trim. You can also see the old glass in the windows...all original to the house.
The homes have separate garages built to the side or back of the residence.
The next home has a large deck (or porch) behind the house. Great place to have a nice family dinner on a beautiful day.
Every town had their Volunteer Fire Department... Isn't Port Gamble's fire station adorable?
The Port Gamble Mill workers acted as volunteer fire fighters. The building is no longer a fire station but the building stays true to the design and has kept it's charm.
You can see a siren on top of the building.
Engine number 52's place marked forever in time...
Next is the Post Office...
Daffodils bloom beside the Post Office each year...
I love to see the daffodils reappear each Spring...
The Post Office Building is also a Community Center...
No town would be complete with out a General Store.
The Port Gamble General Store sells ice cream and snack favorites as well as some of the artwork of local artists. The store is quite unique...
because it also houses a museum... Lets go inside and take a peek...
Welcome to the General Store... We can actually walk upstairs to view some of the things on display.
On the first level, you can see there is a little bit of everything sold at the store. Looking upwards, you can also see some of the shells and other items on display on the top floor.
The Cafe is located on the first floor.
The center of the second level is open so that you can see the first level below.
Here are a few postcards and souvenirs sold by the cafe. I like the artwork on the postcards and posters.
Another view from the second level looking down...
The second level is a type of shell museum. Many of the items in the museum were found in the Puget Sound and Northwest area but there are examples of shells from many places in the world. Aren't these beautiful?
Red Sea Urchin...
One of the t-shirts sold at the shop....
Shells from Vietnam...
The Puget Sound has some beautiful and unusual starfish... the center ones are called Sun Star...
Another view from the second level...
Next to the General Store is a large anchor that was found in Discovery Bay and came from a sunken lumber schooner.
Look at this unusual tree in the next photo. This is a Champion Camperdown Elm. I made a photo of the story of the tree which you will see in the next photos. I have never seen anything like this before... Every tree like this in the world is part of the original one as you will read.
Here is the story of this tree in the next photo. This is our State Champion tree.
Looks like the tree is beginning to bud out. I will have to go back in a few weeks and take another photo and post it on my blog.
Another item on display near the General Store...a bell.
Now for my favorite home in the neighborhood... This home faced the water so that it could welcome all the visitors and boats that would come through the Hood Canal to Port Gamble.
I just love the architectural design of this stately home. Let's get a closer look.
I made a photo of this plaque on the street side of this house so that you can read about the home.
All of the photos that I will show you, with the exception of this next one, are of the waterfront side of the house.
I love the ornate design of the porches on this home. The steps lead down to the waterfront.
The curve of the window is beautiful with the old glass. The stained glass is a lovely touch to the home.
The etched glass on the front door is pretty.
Here is a closer view...
Here is a close-up of the door knob.
Don't you love the ornate wood trim on the house?
What a view you have from the front porch. I can just imagine what the home owners saw as they watched the logging ships come into Port Gamble. I am sure they entertained many people on this porch.
From this view on the porch, you are looking towards the General Store. The Post Office building is on the left and the General Store is on the right in the next photo.
The home has a basement as well as upper levels. There is no one living in the home at this time, in fact, it is for lease.
The inside of the home needs a little restoring and love but what a great home this would be to live in.
I love the spindles on the porch trim. The colors of the home are pretty as well.
I like this photograph I took with the light coming through the stained glass. You can better appreciate the colors of the stained glass squares in the window.
I didn't have an opportunity to go inside the home but I did manage to take a couple of photos for you. Here is a photo I took from an outside window of the basement area. You can see the fireplace and the stairs coming down to the basement.
Next is a photo I was able to take from the outside front porch of the first floor and one of the fireplaces. The home is not occupied at this time. You can see that the floor needs some cleaning. The home looks like someone may have started some renovation/restoration on the inside. You can see the stained glass windows from this angle. I like the bulls-eye blocks around the doorways. I actually have those in my home, too. That is tile that you see on the floor in front of the fireplace.
Here is a closer view of the fireplace.
Another view of the outside of one of the windows.
Interesting mantel on the fireplace. The doorway to the left goes to the kitchen area of the house.
Here is another side view of the house.
Here is a closeup of some of the upper side windows. I am sure the light looks beautiful coming through the stained glass windows of the upper level in the late afternoon.
One view of the back which faces the street.
There are a couple of tall trees next to the home.
Every little town has a community cemetery which was normally placed on a hill. I made a few photos of the one at Port Gamble. This is one of the views you have from the cemetery.
As the next sign will tell you, James Foster, son of the Puget Mills Company's fore-founders was the first person buried at this cemetery. Many people that lived here came from Maine but there are representatives of many different countries at this cemetery.
Many of the graves have been engraved with sayings...such as this one. This man died in the year 1889 at 26 years, 5 months old. His name was John Dexter, and he was born in England. It says, "Lord, teach us to number our days, so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (something for us all to remember...)
Other graves looking to the water...
This next grave is of a little one... sadly. Born and died in Port Gamble in 1895.
Another view looking to the water from the cemetery.
I like this next photograph...
Someone had placed a bouquet of flowers at this next marker.
One or two more photos and then on to another site...
Every town has their Church, and the Port Gamble church has been preserved and many couples celebrate their wedding day at this little Church. According to the sign that you will see next, this Church was modeled after a Church in Maine. The bell came by boat and was a gift from the San Francisco Pope and Talbot's Officer wives.
The steeple is very pretty.
I like the little round windows in the steeple.
Many bride and grooms have stepped out of these doors as a newly wed couple! They had just held a wedding here last weekend when I made these photos.
Here is a sign for Weddings and Events. I believe you go to this house to set up an event.
The Church is called the New Covenant Fellowship Church.
Azaleas are beginning to bloom here.
Another look at the water towers. I also wanted to point out to you that there are many events and activities throughout the year that take place in Port Gamble. A couple of years ago, my husband, younger son, and I went to a Civil War Re-enactment held on the grassy areas of Port Gamble. I will post some photos of this soon. Other events held in Port Gamble also include things like lumber jack festivities, antique car shows, art and craft shows, and so forth.
There is a knitting shop called the Artful Ewe right down from the General Store.
I was going to make some photos of the inside for you...
but, they were closed for lunch... The owner had the cutest dog that was sleeping in the shop. So, rain check on the photos of the shop. I promise to share then another time.
This sign was near the yarn shop.
Well, it has been a nice drive over to Port Gamble. We enjoyed our walking tour of some of the shops and historic homes. I hope you enjoyed it.
Next stop is a little coffee hut as we say goodbye to Port Gamble for today.
Like many of the coffee huts, you drive up to a window in the hut and they make your coffee while you wait in your car. We have so many of these in the Northwest, and they are all different.
Thank you so much for walking Port Gamble with me...
Have a very happy day today. As always, wishing you bluebirds and butterflies... xoxo Kim
Kim! Thanks for sharing Port Gamble with us! What a gorgeoous town! You capture the essence beautifully with your camera! I love the way the baskets are lined up on the porch in one of the shops. The Ames Williams house is gorgeous! The photos and story about the tree are fascinating. Thanks for the close-up shots. I won't ever have to visit Washington! You're taking us all on some nice historic adventures. What kind of camera are you using? I'm hoping one day to get a Canon Rebel, right now I'm just using a small point and shoot. Thank you for the tour!
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 07:12 PM
I do remember Port Gamble. You showed us where they did the Civil War performance. It's a beautiful area and your wonderful pictures make me want to visit again.
Posted by: Ashley | Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 08:57 PM
Hi Ashley,
Thanks for stopping by to say hi and view the photos! It was fun to do all the photos of Port Gamble. We will have to return there when you come to visit again. There is a barbecue place that we have not tried yet. We understand it is very good. I just love the little Port Gamble community. Hugs to you and Brenna... xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Hi Sandy,
I am so glad you enjoyed the Port Gamble walking tour with me. There are a few other places in Port Gamble that I would like to share in a future posting. You should visit Washington State sometime and see it all in person. It is a beautiful State. I have family and friends who live in Florida and Texas. Blogging is such a nice way to share things with others who live far away. To answer your question, I have a couple of cameras that I use to take photos of the places we go. One is my little Sony 10.1 digital camera---great for sticking in a purse or pocket of a jacket. I carry this camera with me everywhere I go. When I don't have it with me, I always see something beautiful and wish I had remembered to bring it. The other camera I use is a Canon EOS T3-i (Rebel) and is probably the camera you mentioned. It was the camera I used to photograph Port Gamble. This camera is awesome for detail. I am still learning to use it and have never taken photography classes. I would love to get a new zoom lens for it. I have a couple of other cameras, too, but these are my favorites. Thank you for the nice comments, Sandy. Have a fabulous day! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Hi Kim,
I'm researching cameras. Over the past few years I've been using the point and shoot digital cameras. I've had a Nikon, Canon Powershot, and now a Panasonic. Years ago, I was into photography and had a Canon AE-1 with a macro, and zoom lens. That was back in the day when we shot with a 35 mm lens.
I've heard really great things about the Canon Rebel and I'm looking for one that I can grow with. You take awesome pictures.
BTW...the picture with you and Sadie Mae is gorgeous!
Have a beautiful bluebird day. BTW.....I'm looking into getting a nesting box for blue birds. Michigan has a blue bird website and I'm finding that bluebirds are kind of rare around here because of the starling and blackbirds.
Posted by: Sandy | Friday, April 01, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Hi Sandy,
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. On the cameras, I LOVE my Cannon EOS Rebel so far. I am thinking you would love it, too. You mentioned a macro lens and that is one that I would like to get for this camera. I also want to get a nice zoom lens for it. I have not had this camera very long and am still learning to use it so I am only using the auto setting for the moment. I am thinking if I am getting this great a shot without knowing much about it yet, I will really be able to take great shots down the road as I learn how to use the different settings. The bluebird site sounds awesome! You will have to put a link on your site to it. Hope you get lots of bluebirds in your nesting box. Have a great day and Sadie Mae sends her love... xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Friday, April 01, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Hey there Kim!
Sounds like you had a busy weekend, love the color in your bedroom! Love your blog, and I always wonder what you're up to next! Guess what? I bought a camera this weekend yoo hoo! After much researching and thinking what would work for me, I settled on a Canon EOS D 60 with the kit lens. It was such a difficult choice between the Rebel and the D60. Both are excellent cameras.
Kim..you're already on your way! You take gorgeous photos! I'm like you, just got the camera yesterday, so I'll be using the manual controls for awhile until I get used to the camera. Isn't this fun? I wanted to share another blog with you. It really inspired me, especially with the photography. Perhaps it might inspire you as well. It's called the Italian Girl in Georgia.
http://italiangirlingeorgia.blogspot.com/
Since we're both getting used to our cameras....It will be fun to see each others growth! Because of you, I'm now fascinated with Bluebirds!
Cyber hugs to you and miss Sadie Mae!
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, April 04, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Hi Sandy,
Congratulations on your new camera! I know you are excited about it! I am looking forward to seeing some gorgeous shots on your own blog. You can probably give me so good pointers as you begin discovering new ways to take photographs and trying the different settings. I am eyeing a new lens for my camera right now. I would like to buy a new zoom and, at some point, a macro. I love taking very close-up shots, and they are great for that. Thank you for the suggestion of the "Italian Girl in Georgia" blog. I will definitely take a look at it and will probably place it on my "other nests to visit" category. I miss Kim at http://deardaisycottage.typepad.com/ -- don't you? Looking forward to her returning to the blogging community at some point. I enjoy going to her site and visiting...even though she is not updating right now. So many great photos and love her home tours. She was the one who inspired me to do a blog. It was the type of blog I wanted to do...not selling anything...just sharing things that you love. There are soooo many wonderful blogs out there and so many talented and interesting people. I have discovered a blog I am following now called "Mockingbird Hill Cottage." http://mockingbirdhillcottage.blogspot.com/ The writer really makes you a part of her life... I have started at the beginning of her blog and am reading forward. I read her current post and then go back to pick up with another day that I missed. Sandy, you might enjoy this blog as well. Thank you for visiting me and have a wonderful day! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Monday, April 04, 2011 at 10:17 AM