Port Townsend, Washington – Part Two

2013.09.06

Kuhn Building, Pioneer Building, Captain Tibbals Building

These buildings fill a block of Water Street between Polk and Tyler.  Captain H. L. Tibbals built his in 1889, originally containing a billiard parlor, three saloons, a theatre, and apartments.  In the mid 1920’s to 1930’s the upper floors were the Palace Hotel, a brothel and speakeasy.  The Pioneer Building built by Francis Pettygrove Jr. also dates from 1889.  At the other end of the block Joseph H. Kuhn, an early mayor of the town, began a four-story hotel in 1890.  The two top floors remained unfinished as the project faltered, and were removed in 1946.  During decades of disuse, the upper floors were home to thousands of pigeons.

Kuhn Building (1890), Port Townsend, Washington
Captain Tibbals Building (1889) and Pioneer Building (1889), Port Townsend, Washington
Store in Pioneer Building (1889), Port Townsend, Washington
Palace Hotel entrance in Captain Tibbals Building (1889), Port Townsend, Washington

James & Hastings Building, Sterming Block

The 1889 James & Hastings Building at Tyler and Water occupies the site where the first cabin once stood.  Across Water Street, George J. Sterming built his small building in 1885 and opened the Belmont Restaurant and Saloon.  The Belmont was re-established in 1992.

James and Hastings Building (1889), Port Townsend, Washington
Sterming Block (1885), Port Townsend, Washington

Mount Baker Block, Eisenbeis Building

Prussian-born Charles Eisenbeis came to Port Townsend in 1858.  Among other accomplishments, he became the first mayor.  In 1873, he constructed the self-named Eisenbeis Building as the first stone structure in the city.  It was only one story, but in 1889 two more floors were added in brick.  In the 1950’s, the upper bay windows were removed and only restored recently.  In 1890, Eisenbeis built a somewhat imposing four-story block at Taylor and Water.  Like the Kuhn Building, the economic downturn stymied the project and the upper two floors were only framed out.

Mount Baker Block (1890), Port Townsend, Washington
Eisenbeis Building (1870, 1889), Port Townsend, Washington

Miller & Burkett Building, Terry Building

The 1889 Miller & Burkett Building stands at the corner of Taylor and Washington, a block from Water Street.  Washington begins to climb up to the bluff at this point.  The building held the Elks Lodge from 1905 to 1993.  Adjacent on Washington, Fred Terry replaced a saloon with a new structure in 1890, which contained a print shop, boarding house, and Chinese laundry.

James & Hastings Building (1889), Port Townsend, Washington
Sterming Block (1885), Port Townsend, Washington