“How cool is that?” says Jon Rose, after describing the 150-year-old mill town of Port Gamble, which he oversees for Olympic Property Group.

Rose has been operating the North Kitsap town since August 2001.

Port Gamble is a company-owned mill town, founded by Andrew Pope and Frederic Talbot in the 1800s to attract married workers, thought to have greater staying power. They designed it to replicate the New England look and feel of their hometown in Maine.

Rose is “having way too much fun” in his career, he says. It combines his “left brained” civil engineering background and his “right brained” more recent liberal arts degree.

Working on land development projects for Pope Resources, the parent company of OPG, he creates concepts for a community, working out the design details with those who will live out the dream.

“A big part of my job is communication,” he says. “Especially listening.”

Rose is aware of the lasting impact of anything done on the land. Therefore, he says, as a good steward, one must be very thoughtful of any changes.

Historically, Port Gamble’s hospital, school, community hall, church, general store, mortuary and cemetery, could take someone from cradle to grave.

“The population fluctuated over time,” Rose says,” with about 600 people at most.” He says the advent of the automobile, allowing people to work elsewhere, brought about the decline of the town.

The mill operated from 1853 to 1995, making it the oldest continuously operating sawmill in North America.

There are just 30 homes in town today. In spite of being labeled a National Landmark District by the US Department of the Interior, some of the houses, built without modern kitchens or plumbing and considered of “no value,” were moved away a few decades ago.

The authentic mill town, still owned by the company, with 30 resident families, is finding new life under Rose’s guidance.

Port Gamble is a wonderful place to spend the day. Have a memorable lunch at the still-operating general store or the chocolate shop (high tea is their specialty).

Purchase art from one of 20 artists in the old service station or shop for antiques in the former butcher shop. Visit the history museum and go upstairs to see the shell museum.

Several special events – dog, horse and athletic activities, medieval fair, arts and crafts festival – bring folks to town. There is a 40-vendor Sunday market.
The Episcopal congregation’s church building is often used for weddings. Port Gamble is a great venue for business meetings, picnics and retreats. See www.portgamble.com for booking information.

The town will soon welcome a furniture maker and an inn. Rose envisions a day spa, dinner theatre and new homes that will complement the historic architecture. He also looks forward to docks and a working waterfront in the future.

The town has modern sewer and water treatment, but the closely cropped, spacious lawns and charming buildings take one back to another century. It is a treasured heritage site in Kitsap County.

“There’s enough experience to make the trip worth it!” exclaims Rose.

How cool is that?.