Name on the Street Corner: Unveiling the Stories Behind Gig Harbor’s Street Signs

Photo Courtesy of Harbor History Museum

Gig Harbor, Washington, is a city steeped in history, with its road signs serving as markers of its rich heritage. Each name on these signs carries a story, reflecting the city's past, the people who shaped it, and the culture that continues to thrive.

In the late 1800s, Gig Harbor was a small, boat-dependent community with few roads. The early road signs were simple and often crafted locally from wood. These signs served a practical purpose, indicating connections between different parts of the area. For example, the Gig Harbor-Longbranch Road, now Burnham Drive, connected the harbor to Longbranch. Similarly, the Purdy-Kitsap Road, later renamed Peacock Hill Road, was named after the Peacock family, early settlers who played a significant role in the area's development.

As Gig Harbor grew, its streets were named following small-town conventions. “Harborview” was originally “Front Street,” and cross streets were named after trees like Ash, Oak, and Walnut.

When the town was incorporated in 1946, a new wave of street names emerged, honoring local families integral to the community’s development. Names like Jerisich, Judson, Kimball, Skansie, Dorotich, Ross, Burnham, Bujacich, Austin, and Hunt were introduced, each with its own story. Dorotich Street, for instance, is linked to two different Croatian families by that name. Pasco Dorotich was the first owner of the FV Shenandoah, a historic vessel displayed at the Harbor History Museum. These names were not just labels but reminders of the individuals and families who helped shape Gig Harbor into what it is today.

The tradition of naming streets after local figures persisted as the city developed. "Borgen Boulevard" was named after the Borgen family, who were known as longtime owners of Borgen’s Building Supply, which once stood where Donkey Creek Park is today. Another local park, located at the north estuary of the harbor, was recently returned to its indigenous name txʷaalqəł, meaning “place where the game is found,” in recognition of the indigenous sx̌ʷəbabš or Swift Water people who originally inhabited the area.

The naming of new roads in Gig Harbor remains a collaborative effort involving local historians, civic leaders, tribes, developers, and residents. This process ensures that the names reflect Gig Harbor’s history and culture, preserving the legacy of the past while welcoming the future.

Today, as you drive through Gig Harbor, the road signs do more than guide you—they tell the story of a community rich in history and character. Each name is a tribute to the city's past and a testament to the people and events that have shaped Gig Harbor into the vibrant place it is today.

Harbor History Museum

4121 Harborview Dr.

Gig Harbor, Washington

253.858.6722

HarborHistoryMuseum.org