PORT TOWNSEND — National Geographic Traveler has listed Port Townsend the 24th most authentically historic town to visit in the world.
Yes, the world.
It’s the first time that Port Townsend has made the list, which it shares with such notably historical locations as York, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland.
There is no other location on the North Olympic Peninsula, or in Washington state, for that matter.
Among U.S. cities, Port Townsend ranks fifth on the list published in the November/December issue of the magazine, trailing only Columbus, Ind., Charleston, S.C., Ashland, Ore., and Red Wing, Minn.
“In this, our fifth annual destination-stewardship survey, we look at how well historic destinations are withstanding mass tourism, neglect, and wrecking balls,” the magazine says in its introduction to the survey results, “as well as the more subtle threat of overplaying the past, where a place ends up embalmed as a lifeless museum or Disneyfied into a cute parody of its true heritage.”
Port Townsend, said the anonymous review, is “charming, charming, charming.
“This quiet port town has maintained a sense of the seaport that distinguishes the area. . . . A good blend of modern-day life in an authentic, historic setting.”
The survey, done in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, had a panel of 280 experts in historic preservation, ecology, sustainable tourism, geography, travel writing and photography, site management, indigenous cultures and archaeology evaluate 100 destinations.
The panelists made determinations based on six criteria: environmental and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites, aesthetic appeal, quality of tourism management and outlook for the future.
The score for each place is the average of the panelists’ ratings, accompanied by a sample of comments they posted in the course of the survey.
Even though the score for Port Townsend was a 74 — the highest score was 88 — it had at least one detractor, who wrote, ” I find the town quite boring and too touristy in-season.”
However, other comments included:
•âÇ”A great place to visit, not far from Seattle. It reminds me of what a Northwest rural fishing area was like not too long ago.”
•âÇ”Good pride of place with a strong local government guiding/controlling development.”
•âÇ”Friendly town, architecturally interesting, overall very aesthetically pleasing.”
Remain vigilant
Placement on the magazine’s list should serve as both a point of pride and a reminder for local residents, said Bill Tennent, director of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
“I guess the world is just now finding out what we have known all along,” Tennent said.
“It’s nice to be ranked so high, but this really emphasizes our need to be vigilant about historic preservation.”
Tennent cited some towns named at the bottom of the list as examples of what could happen if Port Townsend were to falter in the pursuit of historic preservation.
Both Tombstone, Ariz., and Central City, Colo., were once model historical towns, Tennent noted.
“Those are towns that should serve as warnings to Port Townsend,” he said.
“They are still barely on here, but so much can happen if you aren’t careful.”
He said that Central City now has legalized gambling, and that Tombstone has allowed so much development in its National Historic Landmark District that it is on the verge of losing the designation.
Port Townsend’s National Historic Landmark District — which includes downtown and parts of the uptown residential neighborhood — will be re-evaluated in the coming year.
“Hopefully, we haven’t seen much change in the district,” Tennent said. “Hopefully we have kept that designation intact.”
Tennent said he thought the magazine’s list included “some oddities, but for the most part, it seems like a pretty good list.”
Tourism
He hopes the publicity will spur the tourist industry in town.
“I’ve said before that historic preservation is economic stimulus.”
Rod Davis, director of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce, believes the high ranking will boost tourism.
“That is a high designation,” Davis said. “It will definitely help bring visitors to the area.”
Port Townsend businesses, like those elsewhere, are experiencing difficult times. Both the reduced service on the Port Townsend-Keystone ferry route and a poor national economy have hurt merchants.
Davis has reminded business owners that offering a “Port Townsend experience” means that often visitors will make repeat visits — possibly even during the closure of the Hood Canal Bridge this coming May.
“Port Townsend needs to continue to be Port Townsend,” Davis said.
“We are still an accessible location for visitors.”
Improvements
Mayor Michelle Sandoval said that the city is taking steps to improve the town for both residents and visitors while keeping the historic relevance intact.
“We are one of the last great places in America,” Sandoval said. “That list is not about us being a tourist trap, but rather being authentic.”
Planned improvements will make the city even more attractive, she said.
“Starting this next year with Upper Sims Way, our city projects will help to make Port Townsend shine,” she said.
“All these upgrades are a stimulus package for our community, but people will keep coming and appreciating those improvements, along with what we already have.”
Said the magazine: “We publish these annual surveys in part to promote public discussion and action in support of destination stewardship. We encourage communities to take measures that will, in effect, raise their scores, and so become even better places to visit and live.”
The list can be found online at http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/historic-destinations-rated/intro-text.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
