The Port Townsend fire bell tower restoration project has been honored by a state historical organization.
City Manager David Timmons told the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce on Monday that the Washington Historical Preservation Society had named it the best historical preservation project of 2003.
The 50-foot bell tower is one of only three remaining in the United States. It was restored by Rick Hoch, John French and Brad Coone of Hoch Construction.
Working for three months, they anchored the tower to a new foundation, replaced rotten timbers and pinned the whole structure together from top to bottom. The tower was also reroofed and repainted, Hoch said, and lights put around the perimeter to illuminate it at night.
The $300,000 cost was funded by a grant from the state historical society, city funds and donations.