Originally named “Sidney” after the town founder’s father, Port Orchard became Kitsap County’s first incorporated town in 1890. It was through the efforts of Sidney residents that the Navy located what is now known as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Port Orchard Bay. In 1903, Sidney was renamed Port Orchard, as requested by town residents.
Port Orchard is a small town with big ideas. Recently, a “Paint the Town” project was organized and financed by radio personality and South Kitsap resident, Delilah Rene. Many residents and business owners volunteered to paint many of the older buildings in Port Orchard. The downtown community was transformed overnight from dull and faded storefronts to a bright and cheery palette of blues, yellows, and warm browns.
The event preceded the “Cedar Cove Days,” a celebration honoring our local author with an international reputation, Debbie Macomber. Port Orchard is actually the model for the fictional town in many of Ms. Macomber’s novels. Locals hope to make this an annual celebration.
A typical day in Port Orchard can be spent at the local farmers’ market shopping for fresh vegetables, enjoying music on the bay in the afternoon, and perhaps attending an opera that evening.
For the boating community, Port Orchard is a favorite destination with a fully equipped and modern marina, haul-out capabilities, and shore support facilities.
Did we mention antique shopping?
Come and visit Port Orchard—a small town with big ideas!