History of Port Townsend, Washington
History of Port Townsend, Washington
Explore the history of Port Townsend, Washington through real old maps. See the streets, businesses, railroad lines, and buildings that helped shape the town more than 100 years ago.
Historic Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are some of the best visual records of how American towns once looked. For places like Port Townsend, they can help reveal how the community was laid out, where businesses operated, and how the town changed over time.
These maps are also commonly used for home décor, genealogy research, and meaningful gifts tied to a specific place.
Why these maps matter
Old maps of Port Townsend can help bring local history to life. They often show the footprint of downtown, labeled businesses, industrial buildings, hotels, schools, and other landmarks that mattered to everyday life.
Whether you are researching family roots, local history, or simply want to see how Port Townsend once looked, these maps are a direct window into the town’s past.
Direct links to old maps of Port Townsend
Browse available historic maps of Port Townsend, Washington below. These direct links make it easy to jump straight into the actual maps instead of stopping at a landing page first.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1884), Sheet #0001
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0001
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0002
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0003
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0004
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0005
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0006
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0007
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1888), Sheet #0008
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington (1890), Sheet #0001
Continue exploring Port Townsend
You can continue browsing the full collection of historic maps available for Port Townsend, or explore more maps across the state.
All historic maps of Port Townsend
Washington map collection
Looking for a specific search? Try phrases like “history of Port Townsend, WA” or “old map of Port Townsend, Washington”.
Let customers speak for us
from 20 reviewsThe maps are a great piece of history of our community when it was very young. They will be on display when our History Assoc is at events. Can't wait to hear the conversations.
Perfect for designing a historical scale model of the city!
The quality of the maps is excellent and will be a great addition to our town history.
I love it. It is great for some Town historical work I've been involved with. Question.Is there a map for anything in Essex, Virginia?
Your maps are fantastic quality.
For the past several months, I've been reading six diaries from the early 1900s that belonged to Burton Alfred Hills, a Unitarian minister who lived in Luverne, MN. On Friday, November 8, he wrote the following entry in his 1907 diary: "The three churches of this circuitmet at Luverne in Unity Church tonight for business and social hour." When I stumbled onto your website and found a Sanborn map from 1907--the very year he lived there--showing the Unity Church, I was thrilled. Sanborn maps are a great resource in looking at history. I was very impressed with the quality of the map, how it was sent in a tube, and the fact that shipping was free! Wishing you all the best!
Map came exactly as described. Love them.
Very well packaged. Quality and detail of map exceeded expectations.
Well received gift, very interesting
"I just wanted to share these photos with you. I asked for the Houghton 1908 Sanborn sheet 1 and 2. We bought our first home here a year ago, the city records say the home is from 1960, but we knew just based in on the style of the home that couldn't be right. I started working backwards through public Census data as far back as I could go with online records and eventually while I was searching came across your maps. I was able to locate my home on sheet 2 of the 1908 map and was very excited! I asked my parents for the Houghton map and Sheet 2 for Christmas. Here they are! They look great! "
"I love buying from smaller businesses rather than big companies, because it's much more personal. The quality is great and I am very happy."
The Santa Cruz map is beautifully reproduced! We are having fun comparing the old map with current day street names. In addition, Home Town Maps customer service is friendly and quick to respond if you have any questions.
Good quality paper. What would you suggest for mounting? Acid free foam core board?
I really like the map and the photo quality paper. I was hesitant to purchase due to price, but printed on photo paper was worth it.
The only critical feed back I have is that it was difficult to get the map out of the tube, even with rolling the map tighter from the center. The edge of the map was slightly wrinkled, possibly from trying to get the map out of the tube.
I'm using the map researching New Albany for a model railroad project. Since I'm not framing and hanging on the wall the minor wrinkling on the edge wont effect it.
I really like the map and the photo quality paper. I was hesitant to purchase due to price, but printed on photo paper was worth it.
The only critical feed back I have is that it was difficult to get the map out of the tube, even with rolling the map tighter from the center. The edge of the map was slightly wrinkled, possibly from trying to get the map out of the tube.
I'm using the map researching New Albany for a model railroad project. Since I'm not framing and hanging on the wall the minor wrinkling on the edge wont effect it.
Loved it. The map says part two. It is half the town. Any chance you can get the other half of the town? I would love it!!!!! Hanging it in the 1902 jailhouse now Airbnb. Marked in red on the corner of this map!
📜 More reviews are coming in as we continue to grow.
We’re grateful for every customer who helps us preserve and share America’s hometown history. If you’ve purchased a map, we’d love for you to leave a review and let us know where your map found a home!