Puget Sound encompasses the northwest corner of Washington State. The sound is a complex of waterways and islands that stretch from Olympia, Washington to the south, up to Deception Pass in the north.

            The sound was discovered by George Vancouver in 1792 and it was he who gave these waters the name Puget Sound, in honor of Peter Puget, a lieutenant accompanying Vancouver on the expedition. Vancouver claimed the area for Great Britain on June 4, 1792. Administration of the land was centered at Fort Vancouver which was part of the Hudson Bay Company. The area became a territory of the United States in 1846 with the signing of the Oregon Treaty.

            The area began to be settled by Europeans in 1833, when a group of English settlers built Fort Nisqually, which was a trading post for the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, a subsidiary of the Hudson Bay Company. In 1846 the first American settlers arrived in the area and formed the settlement of New Market which is now known as Turnwater, Washington. In 1853 the Oregon Territory was divided into two parts with Washington state to the north and Oregon state to the south. The region was linked with the east when, in 1888, the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Puget Sound.

            Formed by the action of glaciers many eons ago, Puget Sound is now a maze of inlets and islands. Strictly speaking, Puget Sound is a saltwater estuary, fed by the melting snows of the Cascade and Olympic watersheds. The snowcapped peak of Mount Rainier can be seen from Gig Harbor in Puget Sound.

            Puget Sound is also inhabited by some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world. Harbor Seals, Stellar Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, and the Northern Elephant Seal call this area home. The Minke, Humpback and Grey Whales also swim these waters and there are wildlife excursions that can take you to see them all. For those who would rather explore on their own there are the many roads that run along the shores of Puget Sound. Many a quaint village awaits you and you can explore the antique shops or eat a one of the cafes and inns that dot the coast. The forests are made for hiking and exploration so pack a lunch and take a hike!

            If you decide the big city is where you’d like to be it is no problem. Olympia and Seattle are close by with all of the amenities that you would expect in any major metropolis. From the theater to shopping and dining this area will astound you. While you are in the neighborhood, bring your passport and visit Vancouver Island!