Fort Worden

Fort Worden is located just outside Port Townsend. Just drive up highway 19, and look for signs to your left just before entering town. The fort was in construction during the 1890's, and required using a small train to move materials such as cement to the top of the hill. The fort was completed and in use from 1902 through decommissioning in 1953. The Navy continued to use the hill section of the fort off and on until the 1970's. One of the last uses was as a listening post to detect enemy subs. The main bunker is located at the bottom of the hill, near the parking area, and the remainder are located at the top of the hill. The easiest way to find the bunkers at the top of the hill is to go through the camper parking area until you reach space #   51. There is a walking trail located nearby, and is marked with a post. Walk up that hill to get to the rest of the bunkers. The hill is fairly steep in places, but there is a rest area part way up.

First view of the bunkers on the hilltop A long stretch of bunker row

Once at the top of the hill you will see some bunkers to the immediate right, and Memory's Vault to your left. The Memory's Vault stonegarden features the vault that held the original building plans for Fort Worden, along with interpretive poetry. The bunkers you see right here are not the only bunkers on top of the hill. Exploring the woods will show you many more. There are no guns in the emplacements, but the ammunition bunkers and emplacements are still there. Some of the emplacements still have signs of the hardware (ceiling rails, and ammunition elevators) that show the structures' original function.

Go through the woods, or crest a hill and be surprised by more bunkers

There are also two tunnels at the top of the hill. The first one looks large enough to drive through. Check the interior of the large tunnel for a steep stairway. If you go up the stairs then you will be in the area that was used as a listening post in the 1970's. Some of the original sound deadener is still on the walls, and there are signs of modern improvements. The second tunnel is nearby. That tunnel much narrower, but is longer and heads uphill, and comes out over top of a huge (buried) water reservoir.

	A lookout tower and the tunnel The stairway to the listening post is inside this tunnel. Outside, more bunkers!
	This is where they would post the azimuth and elevation for the gunners Sometimes, the way to more bunkers is through the inside of the bunker itself

As a reminder, It is best to visit the bunkers with a buddy, and also with at least one flashlight. The interiors are very dark, and it is not unusual to trip over something. There are also steps or stairs located inside many of the bunkers. Better safe than sorry !

Last edited 8/11/06