Kitsap County

US States / V-Z / Washington / Kitsap County
269WC06

Kitsap County is named for Chief Kitsap, who was the chief of the Suquamish Native American tribe.

 

Surrounding County Courthouses: 

N – Jefferson County and Island County

E – Snohomish County and King County

S – Pierce County and Mason County

W – Jefferson County

 

Created:  January 16, 1857                    Map of Washington highlighting Kitsap County

County Seat: 

Port Madison   1857 – 1893

Port Orchard   1893 – present

 

County Courthouse – Port Orchard 

 

Location:  614 Division Street / Cline Avenue

Built:  1934 – 1935

Style:  Moderne

Architect:  Unknown

Contractor:  Unknown

 

Description:  The building  faces north and is a two story dark red colored brick and concrete structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Port Orchard. The building has a concrete framed entrance with vertical divider in the centre and glass windows on either side. On the east side of the entrance is a stone section. The windows have green colored panels between the first and second stories. The building houses the County Superior Court, County Superior Court – Juvenile and County District Court. The building was expanded in 1947 to 1949 with the construction of a wing on the north side (2). The architect was Kenneth G Branch. In 1969 a second addition (3) was constructed in front of the original building (1) filling the U shaped space. In 1970, an addition (4) was constructed at the west side of the first addition (2). In 1971 an addition (5) was constructed along the east side of the original building (1). In 1974, an addition (6) was constructed on the south side of the first addition (2) and in 1978 an addition (7) was constructed on the west side and along the north side creating the current north front entrance.

 

County Administration Building – Port Orchard 

 

1478wc16

 

Location:  619 Division Street / Cline Avenue

Built:  2005 – 2007

Style:  Modern

Architect:  Miller Hull Partnership

Contractor:  Swinerton Builders

 

Description:  The building  faces south and is a two story dark buff colored concrete and glass structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Port Orchard on the north side of the courthouse. The east side is one story and has a glass paneled entrance. The roof line is flat. The building includes the work of three artists, David Franklin – wood carvings, Frank Samuelson – paintings and William Robinson – stone sculpture. 

 

History:  The county was created in 1857 and Port Madison was selected as county seat. The first courthouse was built by George M May in 1869. In 1893, the county seat was moved to Port Orchard ( Sidney ) and the second courthouse was a two story structure designed by T A Kendall. The building was torn down when the “U” shaped courthouse was constructed in 1934 to 1935. The County  Administration Building was constructed in 2005 to 2006.

 

 

1463wc16

County Courthouse – Port Orchard

 

 

270wc06

 

 

1464wc16

 

 

1465wc16

 

 

1469wc16

 

 

1470wc16

 

 

1471wc16

 

 

1472wc16

 

 

1473wc16

 

 

img257

County Courthouse Additions

 

 

1474wc16

 

 

1475wc16

Picture Second County Courthouse 

 

 

1476wc16

Picture Third County Courthouse 1935 before expansion 

 

 

1477wc16

County Administration Building – Port Orchard

 

 

1479wc16

 

 

1483wc16

 

 

1484wc16

 

 

1486wc16

 

 

1485wc16

 

 

1487wc16

 

 

1489wc16

Photos taken 2006 and 2016