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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1889)
THE WEST SHORE. 175 of the island and on the other islands and the main land coast Ihe construction of this canal. would be only about a mile a half long, presents no specially difficult engineering features, and it would place a very rich section immediately tribntary to Port Townsend. The enterprising and aggressive policy ot tne Dusmess men of the city is resulting in drawing a large volume of trade to that point, and the natural growth of the country will support a large city m tne advantageous position which Port Town send occupies. Because people pushed out on this extreme Doint so far removed from the older centers of civilization and trade, at so early a period, it must not be inferred that a community has grown up deficient in ethical culture or business sagacity. The pioneers were from staid old New England, and the subsequent settlers came from eastern states, bringing with them a sense of refinement and habits of industry that bear abun dant fruit in their new home. It was not a mining craze, nor a widely advertised, but illusive, paradise that lured them hither. They have established their homes and surrounded themselves with the comforts and luxuries of civilization. The local government and other adjuncts of society are firmly establish and can not be overthrown by anything likely to oc cur. The attention given to education is alone a suf. ficient evidence of the broad intelligence of the peo ple. The fact that two daily newspapers are main tained in a city of four thousand people counts for much in this direction, and shows that efforts to dis seminate information are appreciated. The Argus is a morning publication, and the Call appears each evening, both publishing weekly editions that have a wide circulation. They effectively cover the local news field, and are prosperous and enterprising. Ileal estate values in Port Townsend, probably more than any other one feature, show the influence of the rapid advancement the town is making. It is not too much to say that real estate in general in tho city has increased in value one hundred per cent dar ing the past three or four years; and the increasing activity promises still greater advancement for tho future. There are many instances whero property has advanced in price much more than this. Capi taliata from California and the east are making no merous investments in the lower sound country, es pecially in the vicinity of Port Townsend, and tho establishment of the various project! mining and manufacturing industries on Quimper peninsula and .... about the navigable waters or 1'ort discovery t Port Townsend bays will certainly prove import.! , factors in the growth of the metropolis 01 inn n-K Considerable capital that is now technically employed outside the city in carrying on manufacturing and "hipping opeistions practically contributes to the commercial growth of tho town and makes that its headquarters, Tho growing hamlets along tho shore all look to this city as their trading point It is a home market for produce, and in every way it en. courages the full development of tho varied resources around it Toward tho sea, on tho shore of Clallam county, are growing villages, whoso trade Port Town send largely controls. Chief among these is Port Angeles, which has attracted considerable notico as a co-operative colony, and New Dungeness, which is the county seat. Port Townsend is interested in tho growth of all thoso coast towns. Tbero is a small peninsula south of tho city which deserves moro than a passing notice. It is bounded by the waters of Port Townsend bay and Admiralty inlet, and, occupying a largo portion of its head, is a bay, so nearly enclosed by land as to seem almost like a salt lake. This peninsula bears coal and iron and valuable timber, and ono of the fineat sites that could bo obtained for manufactories is about this small bay. Indeed, tho location is considered so ad. vantageous that plats for towns havo already been made, and it is very probablo that a largo iron mauu- facturing eatabliahment will soon to located there. It certainly possesses merits worthy tho considera tion of any manufacturer contemplating locating on tho sound As a tourists' resort, Port Townsend Is ono of tho most attractive points on tho Pacific coast Its de lightful climate and grand and pictureiquo scenery are captivating to all who visit it Tho far-famed beauty of tho sound has already induced many to or. iits to tako a trip on its tranquil waters, and tho wealth of praise bestowed upon it has multiplied its popularity. A tourists' hotel has bwn erectM at Port Townsend for tho accommodation of the visit ors, and it is tho verdict of all that tho joints of in. threat about tho city withiu easy arcrsi mako it a re sort scArcely equaled anywhere. Thero is garao In abundance in tho wood and fish in tho streams. There is unlimitM c? for driving and riding and boating. And then that scenery that no jn can do acribo or pencil jiortray. Tho more ono studies tho advantage ami pro. x-cti that Port Townsend c fT r to industry and to capital, tho moro evident it Uotne that it Is tin. tined to become a city of comaamlicg prominency for induatrious pwplo aro constantly locating there and capital finds it a aafe and profitable field for in. vestment Tho agricultural interests will not U tho first develops, but they will keep m with tho de mand of progress in other line tft(J jl stability to tho general indoitrial growth of tho section. Tho wktr will always form ono of its chief adva&Ui,