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For a complete interactive version of this itinerary click on the "go to website" link to the left.
Seattle/Bainbridge Island Ferry Schedule
From the Bainbridge Island ferry dock (a 35 minute crossing from downtown Seattle).
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND: One of three gateways to the Kitsap Peninsula via Washington State Ferries, Bainbridge Island attracted loggers and shipbuilders to its shores in the 1850s. They were followed by truck farmers of vegetables and berries for the Seattle market. Although it still boasts some of the best berries on earth, the island is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for Seattle.
Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park: Eagle Harbor is no longer home to schooner shipbuilding but remains busy with the Washington State Ferry yard. Best views of the harbor are from here.
Eagle Harbor Congregational Church: 105 Winslow Way (at Madison Ave). Built in 1896, this finely crafted building demonstrates the workmanship found in an area of shipwrights.
Bucklin House: 7861 NE Bucklin Hill Road. A simple frame house with a water tower overlooking Eagle Harbor, Bucklin House was built in 1887 by Nathan Bucklin, supervisor of the Port Madison Mill for 25 years. He patterned it after homes in Maine; his birthplace.
Port Blakely Harbor: Blakely Avenue at NE Country Club Road. Captain William Renton established his sawmill here in 1864. During the next four decades it became the worlds largest sawmill under one roof. Mill workers came from many places, including Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines. Port Blakely closed 57 years later, but the company retains the property today.
Fort Ward State Park: 2241 Pleasant Beach Drive NE. The park runs along Rich Passage and was named for Colonel George H. Ward of the Battle of Gettysburg. The fort was designated a seacoast fort in June 1903 to guard access to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. Concrete gun emplacements remain in place and many of the base's buildings were restored as private homes. Picnicking, beachcombing, fishing, boating and scuba diving are popular at the day park.
Lynwood Center: Tudor-style architecture distinguishes this historic shopping destination that was built in the 1930s and boasted the island's first sound theater.
Crystal Springs Pier at Point White: Once a mosquito fleet ferry pier, the dock is used for public fishing and saltwater access. Communities grew around some 30 mosquito fleet landings and residents knew their captain's whistle signature. Car ferry service began by barge from here to Retsil.
Bainbridge Island Filipino Community Hall: 7566 NE High School Road. Built in 1930, the hall, a registered National Historic Site, still remains from the prewar era. During the 1920s Filipino immigrants were attracted to work on the thriving berry farms and many settled on the island. When Word War II forced Japanese families to leave their property, Filipino caretakers typically continued to raise crops in their owners' absence. The hall served as a social center and berry shed.
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum: 215 Ericksen AVE NE, Island history, photos and memorabilia in a restored 1908 one-room schoolhouse.
Bainbridge Gardens: 9415 Miller Road NE. This commercial nursery features unique trees, shrubs, perennials, kids' playground, nature trail and gourmet cafe. In 1908, Zenihichi Hanui came here from Japan and started these gardens that blossomed into a well known attraction for garden lovers. During World War II, Mr. Hanui and his family were interned in a camp as were thousands of Japanese-Americans and the gardens fell into disrepair. Zenhichi's son, Junkoh Hanui accepted the challenge of restoring the gardens to their former beauty.
Battle Point Park: Battle Point Drive/Arrow Point Drive. In 1938 the Navy installed their largest radio transmitter at Battle Point with a tower 500 feet taller than the Space Needle (600 feet). Used as a top-secret listening post during World War II, this park features 90 open acres with picnic areas, trails and sports fields.
Fay Bainbridge State Park: 15446 Sunrise Dr NE. The park was named after Temple S. Fay, a University of Washington professor whose estate donated the land. A bell, donated by the Kitsap County Historical Society, was originally purchased in 1883 as a "town crier" for the Port Madison schoolhouse. Overnight camping, picnicking, hiking, beachcombing, boating, fishing, swimming and scuba diving can be enjoyed by visitors.
Port Madison Historical Site: George Meigs chose this location to build his Port Madison Mill and Shipbuilding Co. in the 1850s, thus began the commercial development of Bainbridge Island. It was the site of the county's first seat and Meigs served as the first commissioner. It has been said that people would travel by boat from the small village of Seattle to purchase goods from the fine shops found in the bustling city of Port Madison .
Bloedel Reserve: 7571 Dolphin Dr. This was formerly the summer estate of this prominent Northwest family. It is now a unique reserve created to protect and carry on the visions of the Bloedels. It encompasses nearly 150 acres of wild natural habitat and contrasting formal landscape design. The family home sits on a bluff overlooking Port Madison Bay, and is reminiscent of a French Chateau. Built in 1931, it now serves as the visitor center. Reservations are required to tour the reserve.
SUQUAMISH: Across Agate Passage Bridge and located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, it is home to the Suquamish Tribe. Suquamish comes from the original main village site along Agate Passage, called "d'suq'wub," which means "place of clear water."
Suquamish Museum: 15838 Sandy Hook Rd. The museum houses historical and cultural displays of Puget Sound Salish Indian life including the world famous "Eyes of Chief Seattle" exhibit. It is internationally acclaimed by the Smithsonian Institute.
Old Man House (Chief Seattle's longhouse): On Division. A State Heritage Site, it is surrounded by a day-use only waterfront park. Display boards depict the largest Native American longhouse ever built, which once stood here. The name Old Man is an anglicized version of Oleman, Chinook jargon for "strong man."
St. Peter's Catholic Church & Suquamish Memorial Cemetery: gravesite of Chief Sealth, who was the namesake of the city of Seattle. The gravesite, dated 1866, overlooks Puget Sound and has painted canoes above the headstone to honor him. The church was built in 1902 to replace the one built in 1871 by missionary Father Francis Blanchet. Doors and windows from the original building are incorporated into the current structure.
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