Built in 1910, Fort Ward Community Hall began its life as a bakery, serving the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps stationed at Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island. The fort played a pivotal role in protecting Rich Passage and the Bremerton Naval Yard—both strategic military assets during World War II. As wartime needs evolved, so did Fort Ward. The site was transformed into Naval Radio Station Bainbridge Island, and the bakery was repurposed as a generator station to power the radio school and the highly classified “Station S,” a top-secret listening post.
After decades of military service, the building fell into disrepair. However, its historical value was not forgotten. A passionate three-way partnership between the Friends of Fort Ward, Kitsap County Sewer District No. 7, and the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District undertook the ambitious task of restoring the hall. Their goal was to preserve a piece of local and national history while giving the neighborhood a vital community space.
The extensive restoration efforts paid off. Fort Ward Community Hall was transformed from a crumbling relic into a vibrant gathering place, featuring modern amenities while honoring its past. In recognition of the restoration’s excellence and community impact, the project received the 2020 Historic Preservation Stewardship Award from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.
Today, Fort Ward Hall stands not only as a monument to the island’s military heritage but also as a testament to civic dedication and the power of community collaboration. With its rebirth, the hall has once again become a hub of activity—this time for neighborhood celebrations, public meetings, and shared stories, ensuring its place in Bainbridge Island’s future and its past.
Fort Ward Hall is available for rentals. To check rental availability, call our customer service desk at 206-842-0501.