The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000 for significance to both architecture and the history of commerce.

[1][2] Port Washington was founded in 1835, when Wooster Harrison and several other land speculators laid out a town on the sheltered slope where Sauk Creek flows into Lake Michigan.

In 1882 the city incorporated, and in 1889 the Wisconsin Chair Co. was founded, which was the major employer for many years.

Senator and Governor of California and found Stanford University, once practiced law in the district.

[citation needed] Media related to Port Washington Downtown Historic District at Wikimedia Commons