Top image: Union Wharf busy with passenger and cargo traffic (JCHS 1995.329.136)

When the city was founded, most of what is now the downtown waterfront district was shoreline that was frequently either muddy or completely underwater. The shore was great for harvesting muscles, geoduck, and clams. The water was less than 10 feet deep for dozens of feet out into the bay, which served reasonably well for small watercraft.  The native American population and early settlers were equally well served. 

Photo from the water of wharves and bluff (JCHS 2003.134.614)

As shipping became central to the boomtown’s economy, however, this asset turned into a liability, preventing larger, ocean-faring vessels from approaching the shore. Merchants and sailors needed to access the ships that had to stay further out in the deeper waters. Both cargo and passengers needed to be kept dry. The solution was to construct large docks and wharves that extended out into deeper water.

To meet this need, construction of Union Wharf began in 1867. To meet the need for more dry building space, warehouses and other structures were built out on the wharfs. Businesses and office space were constructed on the wharf, including warehouses, saloons, restaurants, and passenger ferry facilities. By the 1880’s these buildings were pivotal to Port Townsend’s economy, with the first customs house and the grandest of hotels at the head of the wharf.

As the local economy moved away from maritime trade, the wharf became less important to the waterfront district. While it was still in use, it was in such a state of disrepair in 1919 that a truck fell through the decking. Union wharf was repaired and later used for passenger ferry service for a time. In 1981 another truck crashed through the aging structure and it was demolished. In 1996 the city built the current Union Wharf with the aid of a grant from the state Department of Natural Resources.

Truck fallen through wharf decking (JCHS 2004.117.581)