Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton
From Lunch Counters to Lattes
Blue-collar roots that flourished as Puget Sound Naval Shipyard grew during World War II and now modern aspirations to be Seattle’s hippest neighbor make Bremerton an interesting and unusual place to be stationed.
The city of about 37,000 people sits on the edge of Puget Sound, one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. Evergreens reflect in the icy water that is home to orcas, sea lions and the famous Pacific Northwest salmon, while Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Mountains tower to the south and east and the Olympic Mountains rise in the west.
Turn many a corner in Bremerton and the view takes your breath away.
Does it rain? Oh yeah. But that only makes the evergreens greener and the rhodendrons heavier with blooms.
Is Seattle only a ferry ride away? Yes, and it’s a beautiful ride, too. Board a Washington State Ferry at Bremerton’s new transportation center and it’s an hour across Puget Sound to bustling downtown Seattle.
Is there good coffee? You bet. Espresso stands dot the landscape, especially now that Bremerton is the middle of downtown redevelopment. New parks, restaurants and shops have cropped up near Bremerton landmarks, such as Amy Burnett’s art gallery and the Admiral Theater. Homeowners and whole neighborhoods are working to clean up and revitalize.
In the midst of all this, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard continues to dominate – as it has for more than 100 years.
In 1891, businessman, immigrant and landowner William Bremer convinced the U.S. Navy to buy 190 waterfront acres to establish PSNS. Today it employs about 8,000 civilians and nearly as many active-duty personnel.
As a result, many military amenities are in and around Bremerton. Naval Station Bremerton adjoins PSNS. The Naval Station is home to a small amount of housing, a state-of-the-art gym and pool, the newly renovated Navy Exchange, legal and recreational services and a large commissary, to name a few things. Off base within the city you will find Jackson Park Naval Housing and Naval Hospital Bremerton, one of the newest and most advanced military medical facilities in the military. And be sure to ask local businesses about military discounts or special military days.
Small-Town Life and Rural Peace is Close By
Almost within shouting distance of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is the South Kitsap city of Port Orchard – a Navy town by virtue of its proximity to Bremerton. South Kitsap doesn’t have its own military installation, but many active duty and retired military folks make their homes in the area. It’s just a short commute on Highway 3 to Bangor Submarine Base in Silverdale or PSNS and the Naval Station in Bremerton. And Port Orchard and South Kitsap offer a small-town feel with rural surroundings that differ from other areas of the county. Port Orchard the city is home to more than 8,000 people and a sweet little main street with tons of kitschy shops and antiques. A waterfront farmers market every Saturday is hard to beat. Beyond the city limits, South Kitsap’s neighborhoods and subdivisions tend to be a bit more spread out, with homes often perched on an acre or more. There’s lots of room for horses and other animals, along with the privacy and quiet of rural life.
Contributed by Marietta Nelson-Bittle
Updated January 2009
