Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Union Wharf

Hidden History

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021

1. Union Wharf Marker

Inscription.

Why was Union Wharf so important?

Port Townsend's shores boast shallow waters, frequently less than 10 feet deep, dozens of feet out into the bay. As shipping became central to the boomtown's economy, this asset to early settlers turned into a liability, preventing larger, ocean-faring vessels from approaching the shore. Both cargo and passengers needed ready access to deep-drafted tall ships out in the bay.

To meet this need, construction of Union Wharf began in 1867. By the 1880's it was pivotal to Port Townsend's economy. The city's first customs house and its grandest hotel stood at the head of the wharf. The wharf remained in constant use until 1981, when a truck crashed through the aging structure.

By this time, Port Townsend's commerce had largely abandoned the waterways. The decision was made to demolish rather than repair the original wharf. In 1996 the city built the current Union Wharf pavilion with the aid of a grant from the Washington state's Department of Natural Resources.

[Photo captions, top to bottom, read]
• Union Wharf busy with passenger and cargo traffic.

• Truck falling through Union Wharf.

Erected 2021

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by Main Street Port Townsend, City of Port Townsend, Olympic Peninsula Steam, and Jefferson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Washington, Port Townsend, Hidden History series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 48° 6.859′ N, 122° 45.389′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Taylor Street, on the right when traveling east on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Water Street, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hastings Building

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021

2. Union Wharf Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Citizens Independent Telephone Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Smuggling (within shouting distance of this marker); The Belmont (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Wharf: A Century of Continuous Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Port Townsend: Washington's Victorian Seaport (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Port Townsend's First Settlers' Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . . Union Wharf. (Submitted on August 16, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Union Wharf Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021

3. Union Wharf Pavilion

In the fog

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 16, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.