A brief history of Gig Harbor
Most of the feedback that I get regarding this blog comes in one of two categories:
- Great photos!
- What a funny name for a website
I appreciate the love of the photos. I have a great time taking them and have really enjoyed the submissions from my friends and readers. I always assumed that people thought the “undressed” aspect of the name was what was funny, but I’m coming to learn that many people simply think that Gig Harbor is a funny name for a town.
Gig Harbor was given its name in 1841by Captain Charles Wilke. During a storm he sailed his small “gig” into a little bay to find shelter, thus naming our little bay Gig Harbor. If you’ve ever been out in the Tacoma Narrows during a storm, or even during a drastic tide change, you’d understand why Captain Wilke wanted to find shelter!
Gig Harbor is well known for our drastic tide changes, fluctuating in mind boggling proportions at mind boggling rates daily. There are times that I’ve been kayaking in the area and it feels like you’re on a calm lake, and then moments later you’re simply trying to keep your kayak upright, looking all around for the massive boat that just sped by creating the waves that are threatening to tip you over. No massive speed boats, just our tides. Hence the mascot of Gig Harbor High School…the Gig Harbor Tides. Check out the two photos below for the difference in the waters between when the tides are changing and when the tides are stable.
I want to keep this history brief, or else I’d simply be stealing information from some other websites. If you’d like to learn more about Gig Harbor’s fascinating history, you can visit the Gig Harbor Chamber’s site or the Gig Harbor History Museum’s site.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Matt
Enjoy your Blog … you are doing a nice job.
Are you a member of our Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society
yet? If not I would hope you will join … I will be happy to get an application to you.
The Lighthouse is a project I was co-chairman of … so it is near and dear to my heart. It was installed on October 12, 1988,
and was allegedly the first privately funded public naviagation light in this Coast Guard District.
Thanks
John
January 7th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying it…I’m having fun writing it. Please do send over some info on the historical society.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Great pictures, Matt.
You are doing excellent at keeping the blog up to date and new input.
Dennis
January 9th, 2008 at 1:31 am
The Gig Harbor lighthouse is very nice and is a wonderful spot to watch passing boats and to view the wildlife. I used to take our kids there when they were young. It’s a shame however that the only way to get there now is by boat. (The local property owners were able to get Pierce County to shut down the only public access to it!) Gig Harbor does not have enough public waterfront access for us average people who cannot afford to live on the water. We are hoping that the new Eddon Boat Park will provide some water access…Also the City owns the land at the end of Wheeler Street near Crescent Park. The city wanted to put in a Street end park there a couple of years ago but it was shot down by one or two property owners. If anyone is interested in opening up more view corridors and city parks call the Mayor, the Community Development Dept., and the City council…
Mark