Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Population: 253,968
Area: 566 square miles
County Seat: Port Orchard
OVERVIEW
Kitsap County is a county of Washington State that has the population of 253,968 and with the territory of 566 square miles. The county seat is Port Orchard, but the largest city is Bremerton. The county borders with Jefferson, Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, Island and King County. Kitsap County is connected to Puget Sound by Washington State Ferries routes, which are considered to be popular attractions among tourists.
HISTORY
Native Americans were the first inhabitants of this area. The Suquamish tribe was the principal tribe here, but the Clallam tribe also lived here. They and others around Puget Sound formed a tribal confederation that was ruled by Chief Kitsap, one of the confederation's greatest leaders. Waters of the region and canoeing played an important part in the life of the tribe. Canoes were important kinds of transportation that allowed people to be engaged in trade and commerce. Canoes were also used for fishing.
Kitsap County was organized in 1857. The county was created out of King County and Jefferson County. Originally the county was called Slaughter County, but was shortly renamed into Kitsap, in honor of Chief Kitsap of the Suquamish tribe. The first white people who came here were the people from Captain George Vancouver’s expedition. Logging industry was the major economy in the region.
Nowadays, the United States Navy is the biggest employer in Kitsap County.
COUNTY SEAT
First settlers in the region of Port Orchard were W. Renton and D. Howard, who came here in 1854 and opened here a saw mill. The town of Port Orchard was founded in 1886 by F. Stevens, but it was names Sidney after F. Stevens’ father.
Originally, the county seat was Port Madison, but in 1892 it was decided to move it to the town of Sidney that was later renamed into Port Orchard.
Port Orchard is located in 13 miles from Seattle and is connected to the city of Seattle and Vashon Island by Washington State Ferries. Its name Port Orchard got from the strait that separates the peninsula from Bainbridge Island.
The population of the town is 11,144.
ATTRACTIONS
Port Gamble
Port Gamble is one of the most famous historic towns on the peninsula. This town got its name after Lt. R. Gamble, who was wounded in the war of 1812. Here visitors will find and really enjoy beautiful historic homes. It should be said that many of the buildings are well-preserved and well-maintained. Even nowadays, the biggest part of the town is owned by the mill. The preservation of the town began in the mid-1960s. In 1966, this town was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Scenic Beach State Park
Scenic Beach State Park is located near Seabeck. It is a beautiful camping park with 1,500 feet of beach on Hood Canal. This park is famous for its wild nature, gorgeous rhododendrons, breathtaking views of Hood Canal and the mountains.
The park is perfect for those who adore nature and natural venues with different outdoor activities.
Meigs Park
Meigs Park is a 68-acre park, which has a developed system of ponds, bogs and old-growth spruce. There is a nice walking path that runs along the upper part of the park, but hikers should remember that the public access is limited because of the delicate nature of the bog.
Information: Marina Petrova
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