Spring wildflowers in the Kah Tai Prairie Reserve

This small, about two acre, section of native prairie has been set aside to preserve the type of vegetation that was common in this area after the last ice age, over 10,000 years ago. You can find it in the Port Townsend Golf Course. The preserve is maintained by the Olympic Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society. With all the wildflowers blooming, it’s particularly lovely in spring.

WW I memorial in front of Courthouse

This memorial to the Jefferson County fallen during WW I is located on the main walkway to the County Courthouse. Those are ornamental cabbages blooming in front of the plaque.

Jefferson County Courthouse

Here we see the Jefferson County Courthouse as the sun breaks through the clouds to illuminate the clock tower.

Fort Worden anchor

This huge anchor rests on the corner of the parade ground of Fort Worden closest to the access road to the beach.

Partly restored street car barn at Fort Worden

Last year the entire building looked like the side on the left. As is the case with many old buildings in Fort Worden State Park there’s little money to maintain structures that are not in active use.

To help remedy the situation, the Port Townsend School of Woodworking sponsored a project to begin the restoration of this old street car barn. They worked with a group of Veterans to finish the one side facing the street. Hopefully, this pilot project is just the first effort towards the historic preservation of this beautiful park.

Inside an old ammo storage room in Fort Worden

The old gun emplacements in Fort Worden sit over concrete storage rooms, many deep and dark enough that you need a flashlight to explore them.

Old Battery Gun Emplacement at Fort Worden

Battery Benson was the last gun emplacement completed atop Artillery Hill in Fort Worden. The battery held two 10 inch guns. This is the covered corridor beneath the battery that leads to the magazines for the guns. These old gun emplacements are fun to explore. They are unlit and some of the chambers and corridors require flashlights.