Silverdale, Washington – Bites of Life on the Kitsap Peninsula
April 29th, 2007 by Rich Jacobson
I’ve done my fair share of traveling around the world, but of all the places I have been, nothing compares to living amidst the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Silverdale, Washington, is strategically located in the center of the Kitsap Peninsula, surrounded by the waters of Puget Sound. It provides the perfect launching point for adventuresome trips into the heart of the Olympic National Forest, along the rugged Washington coastline, or a brief ferryboat ride into the cultural explosion known as Seattle.
Lt. Charles Wilkes led the first known expedition to the area in 1841. Loggers and farmers came along shortly thereafter. Silverdale grew quickly into a popular port of commerce for the large Farmers Cooperative that was formed in 1887, sending produce over to Seattle by the ships of the Mosquito Fleet.
But it wasn’t until 1971 that truly significant growth in the Silverdale area occurred. The United States Navy announced plans to construct their Trident Submarine Base at nearby Bangor, along the shore of Hood Canal. This new base would add a considerably larger military presence to the existing Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in neighboring Bremerton.
A few years later, the Kitsap Mall was opened, providing a much needed full-scale retail complex to the region. Since that time, a flood of national retail chains have flocked to the area, making Silverdale an even more popular shopping desitination.
The nearby waters of Hood Canal offer a wide variety of recreational activities from salmon fishing and crabbing, to harvesting oysters and clams. Public campgrounds and boat launches are in plentiful supply, making even the most remote areas accessible. Pleasant Harbor, located on the Olympic side of the canal, offers several marinas, a country store, pizza restaurant, and a romantic getaway, “Houseboats for Two.”
Depending on which direction you’re traveling in Silverdale, you can normally view the majestic Olympic Mountain Range to the west as it rises dramatically from the waters edge, or the snowcapped peak of Mount Rainer off to the east.
Silverdale is served by the Central Kitsap School District, one of the leading districts in the state. In 2005, Central Kitsap High School was rated in the top 2% of secondary schools by Newsweek Magazine. Over 12,000 K thru 12th grade students attend schools which serve a 110 square mile area.
Even with its Northwest location, the weather in Silverdale will surprise many. During Winter, the temperature hardly ever gets below freezing, making snowfall a rarity. The Summer months are spectacular, posting consistent 70 to 90 degree weather.
Nearby communities include Poulsbo (The Little Norway), Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Kingston.
Living in Silverdale, Washington, has so much to offer, you’ll truly feel as though you’re on vacation all year round!
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Tags: life in kitsap county
Ines – thanks for droppin’ by. Our water isn’t as warm as yours, and we don’t have very many palms, but it is a really great place to live! I’ll pass your hug and well wishes onto Mark. He should be up and around shortly.
Hey Rich – you know I always love your local posts, they are always filled with such useful information and great photos. Just wanted to say hello…please send a hug to Mark and tell him I hope he’s back on his feet real soon.