Kitsap County was formed from King County and Jefferson County on January 16, 1857. It is named after Chief Kitsap (Ktsap) of the Suquamish Tribe. Kitsap County was originally named Slaughter County, after General William Slaughter, but only briefly.
Kitsap County has a population of ~275,611
The Kitsap Peninsula was originally acquired by the U.S. Government in three pieces by three treaties negotiated with the Native American tribes:
- The Treaty of Medicine Creek, signed 26 December 1854, ratified 3 March 1855
- The Treaty of Point Elliott, signed 22 January 1855, ratified 11 April 1859
- Point No Point Treaty, signed 26 January 1855, ratified 8 March 1859.
Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens represented the United States in all three negotiations.
Area: 566 sq mi
Population Density: 644/sq mi