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Port Townsend Historical Sites

History > Historic Buildings

Name: Aldrich's Grocery
Year Built: 1889/Rebuilt 2005
Location: Corner Tyler and Lawrence Streets
Area: Uptown Port Townsend

Built in 1889 by I.O.G.T. (International Order of Good Templars), the upstairs portion was used as a meeting hall. They rented the storefront space on the main level to provide income. A grocery store moved into the space and operated there until 1922 with various owners. The building was vacant when the Aldrich family purchased it in 1926, and it has been a grocery store ever since. Over the years the upper floors have been used for dances, a Moose Hall, Woodesmen of the World, bridge games and a movie hall. Previous owners established their living quarters upstairs in 1984.

On August 4, 2003 Aldrich's caught fire and was totally destroyed. It was a sad loss of the oldest grocery store in Washington State and a hub of the uptown business community. Current owners David Hamilton and Jonathon Ryweck began the rebuilding process in 2005 and have reopened the store as of July 2005. Once again the "hub" of the Uptown community, the pulse of the neighborhood has returned to normal!

See also: Aldrich's Grocery

Some data modified from the National Register Information System. Many descriptions used by permission of the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce. All material copyrighted by PTguide.com.