Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Historic District

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Historic District is a former naval facility in Bremerton that sprawls across a large waterfront area with industrial structures, dry docks, and maintenance buildings of varying ages. The preserved buildings and installations demonstrate multiple construction phases and document the evolution of shipbuilding and repair methods over more than a century.

The facility was established in 1891 and grew into one of the nation's major shipbuilding centers. During World War II it played a critical role by servicing damaged vessels from Pacific operations, confirming its strategic importance to the war effort.

The district derives its name from the nearby natural water body and conveys the feeling of an active naval facility where large ships regularly occupy dry docks and workers engage in specialized maritime trades. The buildings and structures visible throughout reveal how deeply this work has shaped daily life in the region for generations.

The grounds are partially accessible to visitors but require security clearance and registration since it remains an active military operation. Plan your visit in advance and confirm current access conditions before traveling, as restrictions may apply to certain areas.

The grounds feature a massive green hammerhead crane from the 1930s, a distinctive landmark visible from a distance that demonstrates the scale of vessels once repaired there. This crane was an engineering marvel of its era and remains an operational symbol of the site's maritime heritage.

Location: Bremerton

GPS coordinates: 47.55889,-122.63806

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03