forming the larger part of the great peninsula
which these waters would make an island were a six-mile ridge in
Mason county opened up to them. It has extensive and numerous bays
and inlets, with magnificent anchorage, and contains in its center
the great Port Orchard navy yard, destined to become one of the
largest seats in the United States for Uncle Sam's naval activities.

RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES.

The chief resource of the county is in the lumber. Some of the largest
mills of the state are located within its borders.

It is estimated that there are yet 200,000 acres of uncut timber in
its borders, and its mills are turning out 600,000 feet of lumber
daily, besides vast quantities of shingles.

The fishing industry now includes oyster culture, which is rapidly
becoming very important. About the county are located many villages
supported by the tillage of the soil from its reclaimed forest
lands.

TRANSPORTATION.

Kitsap county has no railroads, but its waterways are so vast and
intricate that all its corners are reached by steamers, and travel
is cheap and freight conveniently handled in all parts of the county.

[Illustration: Plate No. 55.--An Okanogan County Valley, Palmer
Lake.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 56.--McGowan Seining Grounds, Sand Island,
Pacific County.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 57.--Oyster Culture in Willapa Harbor,
Pacific County.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 58.--View of the Waterfront at Raymond,
Pacific County.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 59.--A View of a Portion of Tacoma's Harbor,
Showing Ships Waiting to Load Lumber and Wheat for Foreign Ports.]

[Illustration: Plate No. 60.--Railroad Yards and a Corner of the
Business Section, Tacoma.]

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PRINCIPAL TOWNS.

PORT ORCHARD, the county seat, is on the bay of the same name and
opposite the navy yard. It is the chief distributing point for a
larger part of the cultivated lands of the county, and exports not
only agricultural products, but also shingles. The surrounding lands
are well suited for dairying, fruit-growing and poultry-raising,
which is also true of the entire county.

BREMERTON, adjoining the navy yard, is the largest town in the
county, having about 4,000 people and rapidly growing. It has a
fire department, electric light and water systems, newspapers,
banks, about 1,000 or more wage-earners and is a hustling town.

CHARLESTON is another smaller town adjoining the navy yard on the
west and rapidly growing.