Top image: Port Townsend Electric Railway, Co. Water Lawrence and Scott Street Line (JCHS 2005.80.8)

1880’s Port Townsend was a booming seaport and Washington’s Port of Entry. Great efforts were made to connect the city with the nation’s expanding railway systems. Local businessmen and citizens invested their fortunes hoping to entice rail companies to choose Port Townsend for their terminal. They believed the city’s future rode on the rails.

Crowd greeting first trains in Oct, 1923 (JCHS 1956.184.18)

The first attempt at a rail connection ended with only 1 mile of track. The second made it as far as Quilcene, 27 miles, before going bankrupt. Hopes were dashed when Portland and Tacoma were named the transcontinental line terminals. A rail line did eventually make it to Port Townsend, but not until 1923. Parts of the old rail line survive as the Larry Scott Trail.

In the 1890’s Port Townsend boasted its own urban streetcar. Passengers rode between outlying residential areas like North Beach to the Uptown and Downtown shopping districts. Sadly, the population could never financially support the Port Townsend Electric Railway Co.

Port Townsend Electric Railway, Co. Water Lawrence and Scott Street Line (JCHS 2005.80.8)