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History
Thank you for visiting our exciting community! We hope you enjoy your "virtual visit" to one of America's Most Livable Cities (Money Magazine, 1990) and one of the Best Places to Raise a Family (Reader's Digest, 1997). Bremerton, Washington had its early economic activities centered around the timber and lumber industry. William Bremer, a forward-looking German immigrant, realized the economic potential of a town located close to the Naval station and platted the town of Bremerton December 10, 1891. Through Bremer's promotional efforts, businesses and families were encouraged to locate to Bremerton to provide the goods, services and manpower required to operate a Naval shipyard. But in 1891, Navy Lieutenant A.B. Wycoff purchased 190 acres of waterfront on Sinclair Inlet from the Bremer family and other owners. This $9,587.25 purchase provided the initial land and water access for what is now home to the oldest Naval installation in Puget Sound, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The Bremerton Chamber also supported efforts to make the area more military-friendly and donated 12.5 acres of waterfront property to the Navy. The lakeside property, now known as Camp McKean, has been enjoyed by military personnel and their families since 1921. Bremerton and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard have changed dramatically since these humble beginnings. The population of Bremerton surged to 80,000 during World War II as thousands of people flocked to the shipyard to work for the war effort. Years later, the Trident era and development of the Naval Submarine Base at Bangor, shifted the population and retail focus away from Bremerton to the Silverdale area. Despite the population shift, Bremerton was recognized by Money Magazine in August of 1990 as the best place to live in the country. Like many other downtown areas, Bremerton's retail establishments experienced a downturn during the 1980's. The area is currently undergoing a transformation as efforts to revitalize the are coming to fruition. Completed projects include the opening of Bremerton's Boardwalk and Marina, the USS Turner Joy (a Sherman-class destroyer which was one of the first two ships involved in the Vietnam War) and the recently remodeled Admiral Theatre. These efforts, combined with the friendliness of Bremerton's 40,000 residents and the scenic beauty of the area, earned Bremerton national recognition once again in April, 1997, as Reader's Digest "Fourth Best Place in the Nation to Raise a Family". 1889 (September 15) - The Commission sent by the Navy Department specifies Point Turner as the best possible for a Naval Station. 1891 (April 17) - William Bremer and associates make an agreement with Lieutenant A.B. Wyckoff, USN, to sell the Navy 190 acres at $50 per acre. This land is on and adjacent to Point Turner. 1891 (September 16) - Lieutenant A.B. Wycoff raises the flag, in the name of the United States, and takes possession of land that is named the Puget Sound Naval Station. He becomes the Shipyard's first Commandant. 1891 (November 19) - Bremerton Post Office is established. 1891 (December 10) - Bremerton platted and named by William Bremer. 1893 (June 31) - Bremerton's first church, Norwegian United Church, is organized on the northwest corner of Fourth and Washington. 1895 (April 4) - Bremerton's first school is created. The two-room building is located on Fourth Street at what is now Melody Lane Restaurant and the Hayward Building. 1901 (May 14) - The first volunteer Fire Department is organized. 1901 (June 8) - Volume 1, Number 1 of Bremerton's first newspaper, Bremerton News, is published. 1901 (October 15) - The town of Bremerton is incorporated. 1902 (January 14) - First session of the newly elected City Officials of Bremerton with A.L. Croxton, Mayor. 1902 (July 14) - Bremerton residents received their first piped water through wooden water mains. The water came from a creek west of Charleston. 1902 (December 27) - First telephone lines are installed in Bremerton with the first phone in the office of the Bremerton News. 1904 - A group of businessmen form the Bremerton Board of Trade, later to become the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. 1905 - Bremerton-Charleston Union High School holds its first class in the Lutheran Church. Later, Union High School occupies the second floor of Central School at Fifth and Warren. 1907 (October 1) - Bremerton Board of Trade becomes the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. 1908 (June 25) - Bremerton City Library is established over the Fire Hall. The librarian is paid a salary of $25 per month. 1908 (August 31) - Union High School holds class in a new building housing 106 students and five teachers. 1909 (May 22) - Evergreen Park is dedicated, Bremerton's second park. 1909 (October 19) - Free mail delivery begins in Bremerton. 1911 (May 1) - Y.M.C.A. is dedicated. 1927 (December 15) - Bremerton and Charleston are consolidated. 1938 (March 18) - Bremerton Chamber of Commerce is incorporated. William Gates, Sr., grandfather of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is Treasurer of the Chamber and signs incorporation papers. |
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