Interested in fun facts and the history of Poulsbo, WA?
Then read on!
1. In 1849, the first European settlers arrived in Poulsbo, Washington, led by Norwegian immigrant Jorgen Eliason.
2. The first industry in Poulsbo was a fish cannery, which opened in 1888 along Liberty Bay to provide jobs for the growing population of Scandinavian immigrants.
3. In 1889, the first post office was established in Poulsbo and the town was officially incorporated in 1907.
4. During World War I, the US Navy built a submarine base in Poulsbo, which served as a training center for members of the armed forces for nearly 30 years.
5. In 1925, Poulsbo held its first annual "Norwegian Days" celebration to commemorate its Scandinavian heritage. The celebration is still held annually and is now known as "Viking Fest".
6. In 1941, the US Navy constructed a new shipyard at Poulsbo to build and repair wooden-hulled boats used by the Navy during World War II.
7. On August 14th, 1953, Poulsbo was destroyed by a fire started by a lightning strike that burned more than two-thirds of the town's structures and displaced more than 1,500 people.