Gig Harbor in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
A Pioneering Woman
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021
1. A Pioneering Woman Marker
The vacant log along the shore below hides the story of one of the community's most remarkable pioneer women. Theresa Sweeney was born in Ireland and received her college education in England. She came to America in 1893 and settled in Gig Harbor in 1908 with her four sons. The family farmed and operated a dairy until 1915 when Sweeney moved into the harbor and opened a store and real estate office in her new home, located just below this view climb. She was soon appointed postmistress, serving seven years. Later, she served as the local justice of the peace.
In 1922 she built the Sweeney Building, creating the harbor's first multi-business building. The building housed a new post office, Dr. Ryan's dental office, a pharmacy, general mercantile, and a restaurant. The Sweeney Building was demolished in the mid 1960s. Nothing has been rebuilt at the location.
Pierce County's first rural library, built in 1946, was also located at this end of the harbor. The one-room building was heated by a wood stove and open for six hours every Wednesday.
The first car ferry landing was built at this end of the harbor in 1917. Prior to its construction there had been other docks on the north shore for steamboats serving passengers. In 1947 the landing became a marina.
[Photo captions, top to bottom, read]
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• Sweeney Building, 1923-1924
Erected by City of Gig Harbor and Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 47° 20.356′ N, 122° 35.383′ W. Marker is in Gig Harbor, Washington, in Pierce County. Marker is on Harborview Drive north of Burnham Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8827 North Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor WA 98332, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Historic Finholm District (within shouting distance of this marker); Our First Downtown (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Two of Our Best on Mount Everest (about 400 feet away); "Memory Vessel" (about 500 feet away); Heart of the Harbor (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Sehmel Family, Pioneers of the Gig Harbor Peninsula (approx. 0.2 miles away); Peninsula Light Co. (approx. ¼ mile away); The Salmon Life Cycle (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gig Harbor.
Also see . . .
1. Theresa Catherine Cambridge Sweeney (Harbor History Museum Blog, May 9, 2013). (Submitted on August 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021
2. A Pioneering Woman Marker
2. Gig Harbor — Thumbnail History (Kershner, 2012). (Submitted on August 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 19, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
