File:Hastings Building, Port Townsend, Washington - 51162548994.jpg

English: Construction on Elmer H. Fisher’s design for the Hastings Building began in 1889 and was completed in 1890. The morning Leader observed in November 1889 that the Hastings Building, still under construction, was “conceded by all to be the most elegant building in the city.” It went on to enumerate “such progressive features as the two interior staircases, wainscoting of redwood, and the unusually large (96”x100”) plate glass to be used on the first floor storefronts”. By the time construction began on the Hastings Building, Port Townsend was less dependent upon building materials brought in by ship. The cast iron columns at street level, seen to particular advantage flanking the handsome west entry, were cast by the Port Townsend Foundry, which had been established in 1883. Of all the materials used in construction, only the ceilings of the main floor stores, patented embossed iron that imitated decorative plaster and was currently thought to be “fireproof,” is recorded as being imported (these were from Northrup Company in Pittsburgh). The morning Leader reported that “It has double floors throughout; the offices are all large and provided with every convenience and are arranged for either gas or electricity.” Such amenities, not available in earlier Port Townsend office buildings, assured a full complement of tenants. The highly desirable corner location was occupied by a real estate office, which shared the ground floor with Enoch F. Plummer, “Cigars, Tobacco, Confectionary, and Smokers’ Articles,” Max Gerson Dry Goods, and Jarrett T. Lewis Co.