Puget Sound

Puget Sound is an arm (sound) of the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It extends 144 km (90 miles) south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympia, Washington. The surrounding area, which includes three of the five largest cities in Washington state (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Bellevue), is home to about 4 million people.

History

The Native American name for the Puget Sound in the Lushootseed language, used by the regional Native Americans tribes, is "Whulge". Its current name was given by George Vancouver for Lieutenant Peter Puget, who explored its southern end in May 1792. Vancouver claimed it for Great Britain on June 4, 1792. It became part of the Oregon Country, and became U.S. territory when the 1846 Oregon Treaty was signed.

Related Topics:
Lushootseed - George Vancouver - Peter Puget - 1792 - Great Britain - June 4 - Oregon Country - 1846 - Oregon Treaty

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Due to the migration along the Oregon Trail, many settlers wandered north to what is now Washington State and settled the Puget Sound area. The first settlement was New Market (now known as Tumwater) in 1846. In 1853 the Northern Pacific railroad line reached Puget Sound, linking the region to the other states. During that same year Washington Territory was formed from part of Oregon Territory.

Related Topics:
Oregon Trail - Tumwater - 1846 - 1853 - Northern Pacific - Washington Territory - Oregon Territory

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For a long period Tacoma was noted for its large smelters where gold, silver, copper and lead ores were treated. Seattle was the primary port for trade with Alaska and the rest of the country and for a time possessed a large ship-building industry. The region around eastern Puget Sound developed heavy industry during the period including World War I and World War II and the Boeing company became an established icon in the area.

Related Topics:
Tacoma - Seattle - Alaska - World War I - World War II - Boeing

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During World War II the Puget Sound area became a focus for war industries with the Boeing Company producing many of the nation's heavy bombers and ports in Seattle, Bremerton and Tacoma available for the manufacturing of ships for the war effort.

Related Topics:
Heavy bomber - Seattle - Bremerton - Tacoma

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