Bremerton, WA

Bremerton, Washington, is a city nestled on the west shore of Puget Sound, directly across the water from Seattle. The city is known for beautiful scenery, relatively affordable homes and friendly, safe neighborhoods. In recent years, the quality of life has prompted national magazines such as Reader's Digest and Men's Journal to select Bremerton as one of the best places to live in the country.

Bremerton was first established in 1891 by William Bremer, a German immigrant. Its early economy was centered on the timber and lumber industry, as well as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. During World War II, Bremerton's population swelled to approximately 80,000 people as the building effort at the shipyard went into high gear. Bremerton experienced an economic downturn during the 1980s, but in recent years has managed to reverse this trend. Bremerton's Boardwalk and Marina, the U.S.S.Turner Joy Museum, and the renovated Admiral Theatre have all been part of the city's revitalization. Today, the city is home to more than 37,000 residents.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The U.S. military drives the economy in Bremerton. The city is home to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Naval Station Bremerton, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and Naval Hospital Bremerton, all of which employ a large percentage of the area's working population. In recent years, city and county leaders have been attempting to diversify the economic base by attempting to attract high-tech, manufacturing, retail, service and trade jobs.

Some of the top sectors of employment in the Bremerton area include:

• U.S. military
• Healthcare
• Defense contractors
• Manufacturing, software and publishing firms
• City of Bremerton and Bremerton School District

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

A diverse collection of neighborhoods surrounds Bremerton's downtown, which is home to the ferry terminal and transportation center. Restaurants, museums and shops line the downtown streets. Various mixed-used waterfront developments and a new government center complex have recently been planned for the area.

The Downtown Arts District is one of the largest fine-arts districts in the Northwest. It includes two performing arts stages, three museums, numerous art galleries and several clubs that feature live music. An art walk takes place once a month, and concerts are held in Evergreen Park during the summer. This district is a key element in the revitalization of downtown.

Residential neighborhoods include:

• Manette, a neighborhood with a Bohemian appeal on the east side of town.
• Charleston, where quaint streets are lined with bungalows.
• Rocky Point, known for rows of waterfront homes that hug the coastline.

BEST BETS

• Elanden Gardens: This waterfront garden contains a world-class bonsai collection, nursery and antique gallery. It also includes the studio of sculptor Will Robinson, and visitors can often view stone, glass and bronze pieces as they are being crafted.
• Evergreen Children's Theatre and Aurora Valentinetti Puppet Museum: The children's theater delights audiences with professional puppet and live-actor performances. The puppet museum features a collection of puppets from around the world and has no admission fee.
• Kitsap County Historical Society Museum: This museum includes a simulated Main Street of the late-19th century, complete with stores, a school and a fire station. There are also depictions of Native American life, the lumber industry and the shipbuilding industry. The museum contains research facilities and archives.
• U.S.S. Turner Joy: This Navy destroyer from the Vietnam era is permanently docked in Bremerton and now serves as a museum. Visitors can go on board the destroyer and check out its engine room, boiler room, bridge, gun towers and crew quarters.

FOR VISITORS

More than two dozen city parks are spread throughout the city of Bremerton. Several are situated along the coast of Puget Sound, while others are set inland on forested acres. Some popular parks include:

• Eastpark: a grassy, landscaped area with picnic tables and barbecue grills, as well as several miles of marked trails.
• Evergreen Rotary Park: a waterfront district with picnic tables, basketball courts, a volleyball court and a boat launch.
• Harborside Fountain Park: home to striking granite sculptures, fountains, water views and the Naval History Museum.
• Lions Park: offers stunning views of the water and mountains, a walking path, boat launch and a dock.
• Louis Mentor Boardwalk: a linear park that follows the downtown shoreline
• NAD Soroptomist Park: an expansive park featuring trails, a play area, and a disc golf course.

LOCAL MEDIA

Bremerton is served by the Kitsap Sun, the county's only local daily newspaper. Additionally, Bremerton is part of the Seattle-Tacoma television market. Major Seattle television stations are:

• KOMO, Channel 4 (ABC)
• KING, Channel 5 (NBC)
• KIRO, Channel 7 (CBS)
• KCTS, Channel 9 (PBS)
• KSTW, Channel 11 (CW)
• KCPQ, Channel 13 (FOX)

FUN FACTS

• Telephone lines were installed in Bremerton in 1902. The first telephone was in the office of the Bremerton News.
• Water pipes were also installed in 1902. The pipes were wooden and brought water from a nearby creek.
• The grandfather of Microsoft founder Bill Gates helped establish the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce in 1938.