Little known fact: there’s actually no such thing as “Lower,” or even “Old” Wheaton Way. It’s just a title we Bremerton residents use to distinguish a meandering little thoroughfare from the much larger commercial corridor nearby.
Roots of the road date back to the 1920s. Once lined with popular spots like the Maple Leaf Tavern and the hopping Bay Bowl, it became an oddly wide street with only a few businesses left (the Bay Bowl, I should add, is now home to a Thai restaurant).
But “Lower” Wheaton Way, as it became when the Warren Avenue Bridge was built, was just reconstructed, adding wide sidewalks, bike lanes, street lamps and a new surface.
At noon on Saturday, I invite you to come out and walk this nearly mile-long stretch of revamped roadway. We’ll tell tales of its history, discuss its transformation and contemplate its future.
We’ll meet at Whitey Domstad Park, the little green space next to the Manette Bridge roundabout and just above the Boat Shed restaurant.
And speaking of local merchants, the Boat Shed and FOUND in Manette have agreed to offer 10 percent off to those who go on the Story Walk, and The Weekender on East 11th will take 15 percent off an item that day following the walk.
This is the fourth story walk of the year. Here’s links to our previous walks:
Washington Avenue, past and present
Redwood Rendezvous in West Bremerton
Fourth Street’s Economic Divide
Thanks for your blog I enjoy reading it. Could you run an article on the current and planned Real Estate developments for Downtown? Revisit the planned Revival.
Thanks
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your note. Stick close to the Bremerton Beat, I will provide an update soon!
-Josh
Man, I wish this was just a couple of weeks later, as I’m moving to the neighborhood May 1 and would really enjoy this walk. Great blog, it has helped me get a sense of Bremerton before moving there, keep up the good work.
No worries, Eric, there will be more walks each month!
Hope the move goes well!
-Josh
As for walking/running/biking the “loop” across both bridges, can anyone tell me who the genius is who forgot to put a sidewalk on the north side of the Manette bridge?