Fort Worden, Washington

2013.09.06

After leaving the Dungeness River Audubon Center, we backtracked east on US-101 to Discovery Bay, then up WA-20 to Port Townsend.  After rolling through town, we continued up to nearby Fort Worden State Park for a short visit.

Construction of Fort Worden began in 1897, primarily as a coastal artillery battery to protect Puget Sound.  It was deactivated in the mid 1950’s, and the state used it as a juvenile treatment center until it became a state park in the early 1970’s.  Fort Worden and Port Townsend were used as locations for the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman.  The park also functions as a conference center and is expanding into a campus for arts and education.

Fort Worden State Park, Washington
Fort Worden State Park, Washington
1942 Chevrolet Army fire truck at Fort Worden State Park, Washington
Coast Artillery Museum at Fort Worden State Park, Washington

The Point Wilson Light was activated in 1879.  At first the light was on top of the lightkeeper’s house, but in 1913 a separate lighthouse was completed.  It is not open to the public.

The Port Townsend School of Woodworking occupies the old power station building at the fort.  We popped in to have a look around.  It turned out that Christopher Schwarz was teaching a class on tool chests, and so I briefly said hello.

Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden State Park, Washington
Port Townsend School of Woodworking at Fort Worden State Park, Washington

About thirteen years ago, I visited Fort Worden with a couple friends and we went out to the coastal artillery bunkers.