Background Data - Kitsap County

Background Data - Kitsap County

Kitsap County (Wash.)--History

Name(s) (subject) Stanton, Richard [Congressman from Kentucky 1853-1855]
Vancouver, George [Captain Britiish Royal Navy]
Chief Seattle
Chief Kitsap
Orchard, Harry Masterman
Wilkes, Lt. Charles

Document describes historical timeline of Kitsap County events and persons involved from 1791 through the mid-1940's. Page 1 covers 1891-1846, Page 2 covers 1853-1891, Page 3 covers 1898-1945 "Today". The final unnumbered page covers information about Kitsap County such as topography, population, roads, industries, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and schools. Significant names mentioned are Captain George Vancouver, Chief Kitsap, Chief Seattle, Harry Masterman Orchard, Lt. Charles Wilkes, President Filmore, Congressman Stanton of Kentucky, Lt. Ambrose Barkley Wykoff, Admiral Pascal Cervera, and President Franklin Roosevelt.

Olympic College

Olympic College

1791-1945

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BACKGROUND DATA - KITSAP COUNTY 1791 (May) The good ship "Discovery" was commissioned for a four (4) year voyage of discovery, to include the sea and inland waters of the Pacific Northwest, Captain George Vancouver, resplendent in full uniform of bright red, accepted the royal commission and charge to chart unknown waters and plant the British flag on new territory. The ceremony of commissioning was typical of the English country folk and gentry in the pride of a great ship sailing for the king and country. The farewell included a compliment of royalty, the winding of a maypole and dancers on the green who joined the sailors in a gay scene. 1791-1792 Captain Vancouver and his stout hearted crew again enjoy a farewell in their honor after a winter spent in the kindly Hawaiian Islands. The natives danced, waved leis in salute, and the Discovery was again on the high seas headed toward the Northwest horizon. 1792 (April) Captain George Vancouver made his first official call in the Northwest at Nootka (south side of Vancouver Island where the windswept little fort had been built to hold claim to the territory by the Spanish), The Spanish gentleman in charge of the fort charmed Vancouver; the men became personal friends, though their governments were in competition for the same land. After some brief exploration about Vancouver Island (named later) the "Discovery headed into the inland ocean known today as Puget Sound. 1792 (May) The globe circling "Discovery" sailed along in a brisk spring breeze to see the eastward point of Bainbridge Island; at Restoration Point anchor was dropped. The good Captain Vancouver was startled to observe the group of Indians digging for edible roots near the shore who continued to dig and did not even give any recognizing sign to the high rigged ship riding just off-shore. The Captain rode at anchor two days and still no Indians came in their canoes to greet him and parley in the manner of the tribes farther north. On the third day, Vancouver took his first officers and went ashore to meet the Indians. He was then welcomed by Chief Seattle and Chief Kitsap who appeared to be heading the food digging operation. On the first Sunday after dropping anchor, one of the crew by the name of Harry Masterman Orchard, took a sailor's holiday by rowing about the bay that now bears his name. When his discovery was reported to the master of the ship, the captain ordered charting of the bay as the "Discovery" majestically sailed about the large water area that was named for seaman Orchard. 1830s Era of the fur traders in the Northwest meant keener interest in the Pacific by the United States, The French voyageurs swept down narrow streams in their swift canoes piled high with raw furs obtained from Indian encampments. Trading posts were established for the fur business, Puget Sound became a port of call by world traders who came to buy furs for both the China and European T-trade* Importance of the Northwest and the great inland waterway of salt and tides grew as each ship voyaged therein; seamen told of the forests and mountains they saw. The good ship "Beaver" was built on the Clyde in England and brought by convoy to sail on the Columbia River and soon thereafter on the Puget Sound waters. By the close of the 1830s, the United States and the far trading centers of the world knew of the beautiful land cradled between the snow capped Olympic Mountains and the Cascades. 1841 Recognition of the importance of the Northwest outpost came when Lt, Charles Wilkes, commanding five (5) United States Navy vessels sailed into Puget Sound, His command charted waters and named many ports and inlets including: Sinclair, Dyes, May, Port Washington Narrows. Lt. Wilkes and his crew celebrated the 4th of July, 1841, on a lake that they named American Lake in honor of the patriotic holiday. The first American flag to officially fly in Puget Sound was raised by Lt, Wilkes, thus, ending the previous joint occupation of the area by the British and Americans. 1846 This year saw the Oregon territory coming under the United States control to the 49 parallel. The cry of "54-40 or fight!" was heard as the eager settlers saw a great enpire that could come under American expansion plans. The pioneer Simmons family joyfully raised the United States flag at Tumwater to celebrate the event of their beloved land joining the "manifest destiny" program.

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