Poulsbo was named after Poulsbo, Norway, but mistakenly spelled in its current format during the application to establish a post office. The town takes great pride in its Norwegian and Scandinavian heritage. In fact, from its settlement in the 1880's until World War II, Poulsbo (with its first syllable pronounced like the name Paul) residents primarily spoke Norwegian. When residential units where established in Poulsbo for workers at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, the influx of diversification led to English as its primary language.
The influence of Scandinavian, Norwegian and Finnish immigrants still leaves a lasting and charming impression on Poulsbo, who attracted these settlers because of the similarities to their homelands. Poulsbo's downtown is alive with Scandinavian themed shops and restaurants, where many visitors can arrive by boat to the three marinas near the town or the Poulsbo's harbor with its excellent anchorage. With the beautiful Liberty Bay as its backdrop, residents of Poulsbo enjoy strolling the boardwalk, enjoying a waterfront park or savoring a meal form one of the many international restaurants and pubs.
It should come as no surprise that Poulsbo's incredible natural beauty lends itself to a variety of activities and events for its residents and visitors. Panoramic views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains are complimented by Liberty Bay, frequented by kayakers who enjoy a paddle in its clean waters. The smell of the many bakeries enhance the experience of enjoying Poulsbo's many festivals and celebrations that include fireworks in May to honor the city's heritage and the nation's independence in July, the popular Viking Fest, and the events hosted by a variety of active community service organizations and churches.
Poulsbo's residents have maintained a picturesque and small-town atmosphere while continually staying on the forefront of modern conveniences. Poulsbo's leaders have worked to enhance infrastructure and services to its residents, including the development of publicly-owned fiber-optic broadband service allowing residents to further develop commerce right at home. Police and fire services are top-notch and the schools are among the best in the state. The friendly Poulsbo community also enjoys easy commutes to Seattle, the Bangor Navy Base, Keyport Naval Facility and Puget Sound through efficient ferry services. This rare combination of small town and links to progress obviously enhance the value of Poulsbo real estate.
