The Test of Time

The James House was built in 1889 by Francis Wilcox James, who by all accounts, was a man of good taste. Some of that can still be witnessed 119 years later by anyone who stops to admire the beautiful three storied staircase made of wild cherry which graces the entry to The James House. Or anyone who notices the beautiful hand cut parquet floor which was carefully pieced together using select pieces of oak, cherry, and walnut. Or anyone who stops to see the polished brass door hinges, the massive pocket doors, or the elegant wood fireplace mantels and tiles. Yes, Mr. James was a man of detail, a lover of fine wood, who wanted to make sure his house stood the test of time. And he did it for the handsome sum of $10,000!

Here we are a century later and The James House is still one of the most prominent historic structures in Port Townsend. Proudly perched on top of the bluff overlooking the historic downtown district and Port Townsend bay, there is no question that The James House has weathered the bad times, and prospered in the good. Francis Wilcox James....a man of good taste lives on in the historic house that bears his name.