1008 Prospect Ave. NE
Location: 1008 Prospect Ave NE 1008 Prospect Ave, 1954, Thurston County Assessor 1008 Prospect today (2012), photo by Deb Ross The home at 1008 Prospect Ave is located between…
219 Percival
Location: 219 Percival St NW 219 Percival Street in 1966, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives 219 Percival NW today (2010), photo by Deb Ross The house…
421 Quince
Location: 421 Quince Street SE 421 Quince, unknown date, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives 421 Quince in 2010, photo by Deborah Ross This modest home is included…
7th Avenue tunnel
Location: Under 7th Avenue between Adams and Columbia Transportation 7th Avenue Tunnel 1913, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society 7th Avenue Tunnel today (2012), Photo by Matthew Kennelly In early…
Adams, John and Elise House
Location: 135 Cushing St NW Local register; Diversity: Scandinavians Adams House 1939, image from Thurston County Assessor files, Washington State Archives Adams House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross The…
Air show site/Swantown Marina/Tugboat Parthia
Location: 650 Marine Dr NE Transportation; State and Local Register (Parthia) Fred Wiseman’s plane landing, May 18, 1911, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Tugboat Parthia, photo by Deborah…
Angelus Hotel building
Location: 204 4th Ave W Downtown National Historic District, Local Register; Diversity: Gays and Lesbians M.E. George Grocery in the Angelus Hotel building, around 1914, Robert Esterly photo courtesy of Washington…
Armory/Site of Washington School
Location: 515 Eastside St. SE Schools, Wohleb, Local Register Washington School about 1891, Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue, Washington State Library Armory Building today (2012), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross This location…
Artesian Commons/Site of George Barnes Home
Location: 405 4th Ave E Popular culture George Barnes residence, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Artesian well (2012), photo by Deb Ross George Barnes was one of the…
Baretich Building/Site of Olympia Cafe
Location: 116 4th Ave E National Downtown Historic District, Local register, Wohleb Olympia Cafe, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Baretich building today (2012), photo…
Barnes Bank and Site of Roxie Moore’s Saloon
Location: 114-118 Capitol Way N Downtown National Historic District 118 N. Capitol, Roxie Moore’s saloon, as it appeared in 1880-1890, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Barnes Bank…
Barnes Building/Site of Tacoma Hall
Location: 201-211 Fourth Ave. W Washington State Register, Local Register, National Historical District; Women’s History Farmer’s Cash Market, 203 W Fourth as it appeared in 1930 photograph courtesy of Washington…
Barnes Floral/Site of Bohac Harness
Location: 209 Fourth Ave W Olympia Downtown National Historic District, Local Register Bohac Harness and John’s Cigar Shop, 1914, by Robert Esterly, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Barnes…
Bayview Market/Site of JJ Brenner and HA Long Boatworks
Location: 516 4th Ave W 98502 Women’s History, Diversity: Japanese, Native American; mid-Century modern; Transportation J.J. Brenner, 1914, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Bayview Market now (2012), photo…
Bethel, Clarence Grocery site
Location: 1501 Capitol Way S Clarence Bethel Grocery, 1914, Robert Esterly photo, Courtesy of Washington State Historical Society location today (2012), photo by Deborah Ross In 1914, Tumwater resident and photographer Robert…
Bettman Block
Location: 312-324 Fourth Ave. SE Diversity: Jewish heritage The Bettman Block around 1891 photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Bettman Block today (2012)Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The Bettman…
Bettman Store second site
Location: 410 Capitol Way S National Downtown Historic District, Diversity: Jewish Heritage Bettman Store around 1885, Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Bettman Store site today, Photo courtesy of Matthew…
Bettman-Oppenheimer House
Location: 216 9th Ave SE Local Register; Diversity: Jewish heritage Bettman-Oppenheimer House about 1983, courtesy Washington State Archives, Olympia Planning Department collection Bettman-Oppenheimer House today (2010) photograph by Deb Ross …
Bigelow Apartments
Location: 727 4th Ave E Bigelow Apartments, 1980s, courtesy Olympia Planning Department, Washington Archives Bigelow Apartments now (2010), photo by Deb Ross The Bigelow Apartments were built by Ray Bigelow,…
Bigelow House
Location: 918 Glass Ave NE National register, State register, local register; Women’s History Bigelow House, 1866 Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum collection Bigelow House, 2012, photo courtesy…
Boat and Motor Mart Building (demolished)/Site of Pearl City Laundry
Location: 405 Water St SW Transportation; Diversity: Vietnamese heritage; mid-Century modern Pearl City Cleaning and Dye Works around 1914, Robert Esterly photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Boat and…
Bolster House
Location: 148 Rogers St NW If you have a vintage photograph of this house to share, or would like to sponsor the scanning of the photograph linked below, please contact…
Brazel House
Location: 116 18th St SE South Capitol National Historic District Brazel house in 1939, photo from Thurston County assessor’s records, Washington State Archives Brazel House today (2010) photograph by…
Brenner House – Fourth Ave West
Location: 1107 4th Ave W Brenner House in 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Brenner House today (2012), photo by Deb Ross If the Thurston County Assessor’s…
Butler Cove/The Firs
Location: 3316 Windolph Lp NW Transportation, Women’s History Butler’s Cove, Presbyterian Picnic, 1884, Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Butler Cove today (2012), Photo by Deb Ross The French and Brown…
Byrd House
Location: 1106 Olympia Ave NE Local Register, State Register, National Register, Olympia Avenue Local Historic District, Women’s History Byrd House, 1970, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Byrd…
Capital National Bank building/Site of Turner Block
Location: 402 Capitol Way S State Register, National Downtown District, Wohleb, Diversity: Germans Charlie’s Saloon, probably around 1902, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society US Bank (Capital National Bank…
Chambers Block/Town well site
Location: 110 N Capitol Way Local Register, Downtown National Historical District, Wohleb; Diversity: Native Americans, Gay and Lesbian History Chambers Block around 1891, Drawing by Edward Lange from Olympia Tribune Souvenir…
Chaplin House
Location: 425 Rogers St. NW Local Register Chaplin House in 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Chaplin House today (2010) photograph by Deb Ross The Chaplin House…
China Clipper (Clipper Club Cafe)/Haskins and Peele/Williston Notions Shops site
Location: 406 4th Ave E Transportation; Diversity: Chinese; Popular culture Haskins and Peele Shoe Shop about 1914, Esterly photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society China Clipper Club Cafe today (2012), Photograph…
Chinatown
Location: 123 5th Ave SW Diversity: Chinese Heritage ; Downtown National Historic District Chinatown around 1902, photograph from National Archives, Pacific Alaska Region Location today (2003), Photo by Ed Echtle Although…
Columbia Building/Site of Columbia Hall
Location: 210 4th Ave E National Downtown Historic District, Popular Culture; Diversity: African-Americans Columbia Hall 1902, Washington State Historical Society Columbia Building today (2012) photograph by Deborah Ross The Columbia…
Columbia Manor Apartments/site of John Gowey house/Site of Tilton House
Location: 1009 Columbia St SW Women’s history; Diversity: African-Americans Gowey house around 1891, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Columbia Manor Apartments today (2012) photograph by Deb Ross …
Cook, Dr. Lucie site/Olympia Electric
Location: 314 Franklin St NE Women’s History Dr. Lucie Cook’s residence and practice around 1914, Robert Esterly photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Olympia Electric building today (2012), photo…
Cunningham’s Building/Site of First Methodist-4th Avenue
Location: 325 4th Ave E Local register, Religious Institutions Scott’s Grocery (Cunningham’s Building), 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Cunningham’s building today (2012), photo…
Department of Enterprises Services (GA)/First Site of St. Peter Hospital
Location: 210 11th Ave SW and adjacent monument Religious institutions; Women’s History; National Register (GA Building); mid-Century modern St. Peter Hospital, ca. 1890, private collection Department of Enterprise Services…
Dolliver building (former Post office)/Site of Olympia Hotel/George Foster home
Location: 801 Capitol Way S National Register, State Register, Local register; Women’s History; Religious Institutions Olympia Hotel, ca. 1890, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Dolliver Building (old Post Office)…
Dunkin and Barnes Stable site
Location: 414 Water St SW Transportation, mid-Century modern Dunkin & Barnes Stable and Veterinary, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Location today (2012), photo…
Eagles Club
Location: 805 4th Ave E Wohleb, Popular Culture, Diversity: Gay and Lesbian History Eagles Building 1965, Thurston County Assessor Photo, Washington State Archives Eagles Building today (2012), photo by Deb…
East Capitol Campus/Site of Capital Apartments
Location: 1306-1318 Capitol Way S mid-Century modern Capital Apartments, 1914, Robert Esterly photograph, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Part of East Capitol Campus today (2012), photo by…
Eastside Big Tom/Site of Glidden Homestead
Location: 2023 4th Ave E Transportation, Popular Culture Original “In and Out” stand at this location, around 1948, courtesy of Eastside Big Tom Eastside Big Tom today (2010) photograph by…
Employment Security Building/Site of A.D. Rogers home
Location: 212 Maple Park SE mid-Century modern A.D. Rogers House, about 1890 Photograph from Digital Archives Employment Security building today (2012) Photo courtesy of Deb Ross A.D. Rogers was a…
Eugley House
Location: 1825 Water St SW Local Register; Women’s History; South Capitol National Historic District No scanned vintage photo of this house is available. If you have one we can…
Foursquare Church/Capital City Studios (burned down 2014)
Location: 911 4th Ave E Religion, Popular Culture Foursquare Congregation, 1941, Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Capital City Studios today (2009), photo courtesy Jason Scragz, posted…
Fourth Avenue Bridge
Location: Fourth Avenue Bridge Transportation Fourth Avenue bridge with drawspan open, ca. 1899, Ed Echtle collection, Olympia Historical Society Fourth Avenue…
Funk House
Location: 1202 Olympia Ave NE National, State and Local Register, Olympia Avenue Local Historical District, Women’s History Funk House in 1939, Thurston County Assessor, State Archives Funk House today (2010),…
Garfield School
Location: 325 Plymouth St NW Schools Garfield School in 1919 (original location), State Library Photograph Collection, Digital Archives Garfield School today (2012) photograph by Matt Kennelly According to Olympia School…
George House
Location: 125 17th St SE Local Register, South Capitol National Historic District George House, 1940s, courtesy Washington State Historical Society George House today (2010) photograph by Deb Ross …
Georgia Pacific/Washington Fish and Wildlife Building
Location: 600 Capitol Way N National Register, Wohleb, mid-Century modern Georgia Pacific building in 1950s, photo from DAHP Georgia Pacific building today photograph from DAHP The plywood industry was an essential…
Giles House
Location: 727 West Bay Drive NW State Register Giles House, 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Giles House today (2010), photo by Deborah Ross The Charles…
Goldberg’s Building/site of McKenny Block/Crane’s Cafe/Yenney’s building
Location: 403 Capitol Way S Downtown National Historic District, Diversity: Jewish Heritage, Mid-century McKenny Block around 1891, Drawing by Edward Lange from Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue 1891, Washington State Library Goldberg’s Building…
Gottfeld’s
Location: 213 4th Ave E Downtown National Historic District, Wohleb, Transportation 4th Avenue looking east, mid 1940s, with Gottfeld’s halfway down on right, Private Postcard Collection Gottfeld’s Building today (2012)…
Governor Hotel/Silsby Grocery/St. John’s Episcopal site
Location: 621 Capitol Way S mid-Century modern, Religious institutions Governor House, about 1890 Photograph from Digital Archives Governor Hotel today – Pride Weekend (2012), Photo by Deborah Ross As the capital…
Governor’s Mansion
Location: Capitol Campus Women’s History, Diversity: Chinese Governor’s Mansion 1955, photo from Digital Archives Governor’s Mansion today (2010), photo from Governor’s Mansion Foundation Text and page researched and written in…
Greyhound Depot/Site of Harris house
Location: 107 7th Ave SE Transportation; Diversity: Jewish heritage; National Downtown Historic District Parade for dead Spanish-American war soldiers, 1900, with Harris house in background, photo courtesy of Washington State…
Grugan House
Location: 1120 5th Ave SW Grugan House in 1938, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Grugan House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross This well proportioned and…
Hale Block
Location: 502 4th Ave E Local register; Women’s history; Religious institutions Hale Block, 1914, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Hale Block today (2012) photograph by Matt Kennelly Pamela (or…
Hale House
Location: 902 Tullis St NE National, State, and Local registers, Women’s History Hale House 1939, Thurston County Assessor Photo, Washington State Archives Hale House today (2010), photo by Deb…
Harris Dry Goods/Grainger Stable site
Location: 518 Capitol Way Southeast Local Register, Downtown Olympia National Historical District, Diversity: Jewish Heritage; Transportation Harris Dry Goods Building interior, 1943, Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State…
Henderson, Harriet House
Location: 503 Puget St NE Women’s History, Popular Culture Henderson House, 1950, photo from Thurston County Assessor, State Archives Henderson House now (2010), photo by Deborah Ross This…
Heritage Bank/Site of organization of First Presbyterian/Eads Transfer site
Location: 221 5th Ave SW mid-Century modern; Religious institutions Site of organization of First Presbyterian Church, photograph by Asahel Curtis, date unknown, United Churches of Olympia Heritage Bank today…
Heritage Fountain/Site of Little Hollywood, Armory
Location: 315 4th Ave W Diversity: Immigrants Little Hollywood, 1950, after its partial demolition, Olympia Fire Department Collection, Digital Archives Heritage Fountain now (2010), photo from City of Olympia Before…
Holbrook House
Location: 503 Foote St SW Local register Holbrook House 1966, Thurston County Assessor Photo, Washington State Archives Holbrook House today (2016), photo by Ron Barnhart Built in 1892,…
Hotel Olympian/Site of Eugley & Musgrove Millinery
Location: 116 Legion Way SE Downtown National Historical District, Women’s History Hotel Olympian by Jeffers, 1954. Susan Parish Photograph Collections, Washington State Archives Hotel Olympian today (2012), Photo courtesy of Matthew…
Insurance Building
Location: 302 Sid Snyder Ave SW Washington State Capitol National Historic District Insurance Building, 1920s, State Library Photograph Collection, Digital Archives Insurance Building today (2012) photograph by Matt Kennelly The…
James House
Location: 1303 4th Ave E James House, 1937, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives James House today (2010), photo by Deborah Ross The Edwin James House was…
Jeffers Building
Location: 500 Washington St SE Local, State and National Registers, Downtown National Historic District, Wohleb Jeffers Building around 1914, photograph by Joe Jeffers, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Jeffers Building…
Jefferson Apartments
Location: 114-118 Jefferson St NE National Register, State Register, Local Register, Women’s History Jefferson Apartments, 1964, Thurston County Assessor’s photograph from Southwest Regional Archives Jefferson Apartments today (2011), photo by…
Kaler house
Location: 909 Glass Ave NE Local Register Kaler House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor’s photograph from Southwest Regional Archives Kaler House today (2011), photo by Deborah Ross The Kaler House is…
Kelley Building
Location: 501 4th Ave E Local register Kelley Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Kelley Building today (2013), photo by Deb Ross The Kelley building was erected…
Knox Apartments site/Warbass home site
Location: 166 Washington St NE Knox Hotel and Apartments, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Location today (2012), photo by Deb Ross Another example of…
Laberee House
Location: 1910 Water St SW Local register, South Capitol National District No vintage scanned image is available. If you have one, or would like to sponsor the scanning of…
Lane House (Seven Gables)
Location: 1205 West Bay Drive NW State Register Lane House, 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Lane House today (2010), photo by Deborah Ross The George…
Le May Meat Market Building – Capitol Way
Location: 1023 Capitol Way S Le May Meat Market, around 1940, Southwest Regional Archives Daughters of the Pioneers collection Le May Meat Market building today, photograph by Deborah Ross (2015) In…
Les Schwab Building (demolished)/site of P.J. O’Brien’s Blacksmith
Location: 217 Columbia St NW Transportation; Diversity: Native American history P.J. O’Brien Blacksmith Shop around 1900, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Canoe Journey Mural on side of Les…
Lybarger House
Location: 1056 Boundary St SE Local register Lybarger House, 1973, courtesy of Mark Foutch Lybarger House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross The Lybarger House was built about 1887…
Interactive Map – Where Are We?
The Where are We? feature of the Olympia Historical Society website allows you to find out more about important historical buildings and locations in Olympia. Click on any of the…
Mallory House
Location: 1418 Oak Ave NE Local Register Mallory House in 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Mallory House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross This pleasing 1895…
Martin Building/site of Doane’s Oyster House/Harned and Mabie homes
Location: 113-119 5th Ave SE Downtown National Historical District, Wohleb design; Women’s History Doane’s Oyster House around 1880, photograph from Digital Archives Martin Building today (2012), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross…
Foutch: Origins of the Olympia Historical Society, part 1
Background: For many decades Olympia was content to depend on the State Capital Museum for its local history venue and a place to store many of its important historical assets. …
The Olympia Historical Society Needs You!
Tim Ransom, Vice President Interested in the history of where you live? Want to know more about the people who lived there first, the Native Americans, the pioneers and other…
New History Blogs That Inform and Inspire
Anne Kilgannon, Secretary In a new history column featured in the online news source ThurstonTalk.com, blogger Emmett O’Connell writes about a little known historic site in downtown Olympia. Now the…
Fall 2012 Newsletter: Table of Contents
President’s Message Fall 2012 Mark Foutch Olympia Historical Society at Canoe Journey Anne Kilgannon Origins of the Olympia Historical Society Mark Foutch New History Blogs That Inform and Inspire Anne…
President’s Message Fall 2012
Mark Foutch, President As you all know, one of our Olympia Historical Society’s most dedicated members, Roger Easton, died July 2 after a short illness. This was completely unexpected and…
Olympia Historical Society July 2012 bulletin
Hello friends. As we are on "summer schedule," this will be your only bulletin for July, but it’s an important one! First, please join historical societies and commissions throughout Thurston…
President’s Message Summer 2012
Mark Foutch, President You might (or might not) have noticed that our first OHS newsletter of the year is later than usual. We’ve faced some organizational challenges but now we’re…
Queries
Our website has extensive materials and links on Olympia history, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to get started or how to find answers to specific questions. We suggest…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Links
Related Sites Chinese and Asian American History Becoming American: The Chinese Experience The Chinese American Experience, 1857-1892 Historical Societies, Museums, and Exhibits: Wing Luke Museum, Seattle, WA The Mai Wah…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Interpretive Marker
The dedication of the Olympia Chinatown Historical Marker took place May 22, 2004 at Heritage Park. Interpretive Marker located in Heritage Park, near the site of Olympia’s last Chinatown …
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Chinese Cemetery
At Forest Memorial Gardens, 2501 Pacific Ave., Olympia Marker for Locke Mai Tuck Edward Echtle photo As late as the 1930s members of Olympia’s Chinese community still gathered at Forest…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Families
Due to immigration restrictions it was prohibitively expensive and legally difficult for most Chinese men to bring a wife and family members to America. Nevertheless, a small but significant number of…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Market Gardens
By the 1870s some of Olympia’s Chinese residents earned their keep as market gardeners. In fact, they were so efficient they effectively cornered the local produce market for some years. …
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Restaurants
Restaurants were a pioneer business for Chinese immigrants. Many early Chinese found employment as cooks for affluent families, at lumber camps and in hotels and rooming houses and learned…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Laundries
A number of Chinese owned laundries existed in Olympia over the years. As laundries required little start up capital, they were often the first business a recent Chinese immigrant could…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Chinatowns
The International Chinese Business Directory of the World for the Year 1913 Over the years Olympia’s main Chinese quarters were located in three places. Available records show the earliest Chinatown…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese History – Railroads and Riots
Chinese railroad section hands at the Tenino Northern Pacific Railroad depot, early 1880s WSHS Image In the early 1870s construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad in western Washington brought…
Echtle: Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community
by Edward Echtle This series of articles about the Chinese in Olympia was prepared by Edward Echtle, Olympia historian, for the Olympia Historical Society website. The Society is…
Olympia’s Historic Chinese Community – Origins and Early Arrivals
During the latter half of the 19th century, the Puget Sound region received an influx of settlers from around the world. Among them were immigrants from southeast China. Many came to…
Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum Bylaws
AMENDED: DECEMBER 31, 2013, January 12, 2015, January 11, 2016, January 16, 2017, and January 20, 2018 Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum Article I. Purpose …
Partlow: Meet a Family: The Streets and Partlows of West Olympia
Written by Janet Partlow, a descendant of the Streets and Partlow families Ralph Raymond Streets was born in Brockville, Ontario (on the St. Lawrence seaway) in 1870. His father John…
Summer 2012 Newsletter: Table of Contents
President’s Message Mark Foutch Olympia’s African American Pioneers Ralph Munro Meet a Family:The Streets and Partlows Nancy Partlow Lanny’s and Deb’s Excellent Adventures in Tacoma Deb Ross Membership
Munro: Olympia’s African American Trailblazers
Ralph Munro, Secretary of State 1980-2001 resident of Olympia since 1966 Secretary Munro offered following remarks at a First United Methodist Church in Olympia on January 29, 2012 in recognition…
Lanny’s and Deb’s Excellent Adventures in Tacoma
This is an ongoing series that reports on Lanny Weaver’s and Deb Ross’s weekly trips to the Research Center at the Washington State Historical Society to catalogue documents and photographs…
Welcome to “Where Are We?”
This feature of our website includes separate pages for historic locations and buildings throughout Olympia. Each location has side-by-side photographs, with brief descriptions of the history and importance of the…
Selected Transcriptions and Images from Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue 1891
In 1891, the Olympia Tribune published a souvenir issue, consisting of 22 bound pages that were printed and bound at the State Printing Office. The issue contained information on the…
Meet a Family: Charles and Zoe Chaenn
by Richard Edwards Charles Chaenn was born in France in January 1839 to John Chaenn and Madelina Juliet. According to local oral tradition, he served in the French military before…
Zindt: Memories of Olympia in the 1920s and 1930s
by Mary Zindt My brothers and I spent the summers doing farm chores. A hike to McAllister Springs was always included during summer vacation. It was about two miles from…
Miller and O’Connell: Revisiting Capitol Lake
The previous two newsletters contained articles on the history of Capitol Lake, whose authors maintain divergent conclusions. As our newsletter policies maintain, the Olympia Historical Society welcomes submissions on any…
Derricott: Judge Lee Creighton
Mark Derricott, Editor Introduction Does Aristotle’s theory of the whole can become greater than the sum of its parts hold true if we apply it to our community? Can something…
Derricott, Applied Historiography: Olympia’s Capital Lake
Mark Derricott* The excellent recent piece about Capitol Lake by Mr. Allen Miller and a formidable rejoinder in this quarter’s newsletter by Mr. Emmett O’Connell reveals a rich dialogue about…
O’Connell: The Myth of Connection Between Wilder and White and Capitol Lake
This article originally appeared on the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Natural Resource Department Weblog and was reprinted here as another view of the history of the development of Capitol Lake. The…
Blankenship: Meet the Yantises and Blankenships
Ralph Blankenship In October of 1852 Sarah Y Yantis rode into Olympia with her father B.F. Yantis and 7 brothers and sisters in their covered wagon. They left from Saline…
Masonic Temple site
Location: 105 8th Ave SE (corner 8th and Capitol) Local Register (site) Masonic Temple about 1902, Image from Digital Archives Location today (2012), Photo courtesy of Deb Ross When Edmund Sylvester laid…
McClain Motors Building/Site of Charley Vietzen home
Location: 703 4th Ave E Transportation, Diversity: German heritage Vietzen home, with family members, courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society Courtyard Antiques mall at this location…
McClelland House
Location: 327 Sherman NW Schools McClelland House, 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, State Archives McClelland House now (2010), photo by Deborah Ross This attractive, unassuming Pioneer-style home…
McElroy, Thornton house site
Location: 702 Washington St SE Thornton McElroy home around 1873, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society 702 Washington St. today, Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross Between Sylvester Park and the…
McIntyre House
Location: 123 Cushing St. NW Local Register Joseph McIntyre home around 1900, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society McIntyre home today (2012), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The McIntyre…
Meacham Furniture/Munro Building
Location: 119 Columbia St. NW Downtown Olympia National Historical District; Schools Meacham Furniture Co. around 1880, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Munro Building (Mekong Thai) today (2012) Photograph courtesy…
Memorial Clinic building (demolished)
Location: 529 4th Ave W Wohleb; mid-Century modern Memorial Clinic building, 1949, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Memorial Clinic building in 2013, photo by Deb Ross The Memorial…
Meyer-Riddle House
Location: 1136 East Bay Drive NE National Register, State Register, Local Register, Women’s History, Diversity: Germans Meyer House ca. 1910, photo courtesy of Olympia Mansion Meyer-Riddle House today (2010), photo…
Mills and Mills/Sticklin Undertakers building
Location: 414 Franklin St SE Religious Institutions Sticklin Undertakers around 1914, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Sticklin Undertakers/Mills and Mills building today (2012), photo by Matt Kennelly This…
Mitchell House
Location: 435 Rogers St NW Local register Mitchell House 1939, Thurston County Assessor Photo, Washington State Archives Mitchell House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross This house, built by…
Mottman Building
Location: 101 Capitol Way N Local Register, State Register, National Register, National Historic District, Diversity: Jewish heritage The Toklas and Kaufman building (now Mottman Building) around 1891 charcoal-enhanced photograph from…
Mowell House/Site of Central School/GAR Building
Location: 200 Union Ave SE Women’s History, Schools, Popular culture; State register (Central School building) Central School, around 1882, photo from State Library Photograph Collection, Digital Archives Mowell House today…
National Wood Pipe site
Location: Northeast corner of Jefferson and Thurston The National Wood Pipe factory on fire in 1909 photograph from Digital Archives As the former location of the pipe factory appears today (2011),…
Neuffer Building/Site of Dr. Waughop residence
Location: 513 Capitol Way S Downtown Olympia National District, Diversity: African-Americans Waughop Residence about 1875, Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Neuffer Building today (2012), Photo by Deb Ross In…
Newcomb House
Location: 1264 State St NE Newcomb House, 1937, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Newcomb House today (2010), photo by Deborah Ross The Newcomb House was built…
Northern Pacific depot
Location: 721 Columbia St SW Transportation, mid-Century Northern Pacific Railroad depot around 1914, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Northern Pacific Depot today (2012), photo by Matt Kennelly The…
Odd Fellows Hall site/Rexall Drug Store building
Location: 501 Capitol Way SE Downtown National Historical District, Wohleb, mid-Century; Diversity: African-Americans Odd Fellows Building around 1900 Photo from Digital Archives Rexall Drug Building today (2012) Photo courtesy of Deb Ross …
Old City Hall/Fire Station/”Dead Zone” (Tenderloin District)/Tilley stable site
Location: 108 State Ave NW Local Register, State Register, National Historic Downtown District, Women’s History, Transportation Tilley Stable, date unknown, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Old City Hall today…
Old State Capitol Building
Location: 600 Washington Street Southeast National Register, State Register, Local Register, National Historical District; Women’s History As it appeared in late 1800s Photo from Digital Archives As it appears today…
Old Thurston County Courthouse-Capitol Way/Site of Milroy House/Trolley system
Location: 1110 Capitol Way S Local, state and national registers; Wohleb; Diversity: Native American rights; Transportation Milroy House, 1872, State Library Collection, Digital Archives Old Thurston County Courthouse-Capitol Way today…
Olympia Collegiate Institute site
Location: 802 Olympia Ave. Schools, Women’s History Olympia Collegiate Institute about 1885, photograph from Digital Archives site today (2012) Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The Puget Sound Wesleyan Institute was founded…
Olympia Hardware/Site of Kay’s Chop Suey Restaurant
Location: 109 Capitol Way N Local register; Olympia Downtown National Historic District; Diversity:Chinese heritage Olympia Hardware Co. 1914, Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Olympia Hardware Company building…
Olympia High School first site and Capitol Campus sunken garden
Location: Capitol Campus Schools; located in Washington State Capitol Campus National Historic District First William Winlock Miller High School, ca. 1917, State Library Photograph Collection Sunken Garden today (2013)…
Olympia High School site – Capitol Way/Highway and Licensing Building
Location: 1125 Washington St SE Schools, mid-Century modern Olympia High School on Capitol Way, 1920s, State Library Collection, Digital Archives Highway and Licensing Building now (2012), photo by Matt Kennelly…
Olympia Junk/Capital City Creamery
Location: 525 Columbia St SW Diversity: Jewish heritage; Women’s History; Wohleb Olympia Junk Co. 1914, Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Olympia Junk Co building today (2012) photograph…
Olympia Knitting Mills
Location: 525 Cherry St. SE (at corner of Legion Way) Popular Culture, Diversity: Jewish History, Women’s History, Schools, Wohleb Olympia Knitting Mills photograph from City of Olympia Women’s Walking Tour …
Olympia Motors
Location: 520 4th Ave E Transportation, Wohleb Capital Chevrolet, 1942, Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Olympia Motors Building now (2012), photo by Deb Ross The Olympia Motors…
Olympia National Bank Building/5th and Capitol
Location: 422 Capitol Way S Downtown National Historic District, State Register, National Register, Wohleb Main Street (Capitol Way) and 5th, looking north, around 1874 , Stereograph (left half) courtesy of Washington…
Olympia News Office building/site of Cafe Intermezzo
Location: 212 4th Ave W National Downtown Historic District; Diversity: Gay and Lesbian History Cafe Intermezzo, 1970s, Carole Street LaFond website Olympia News Office building today (2012), photo by…
Olympia Oyster Company Building
Location: 320 4th Ave W Diversity: Japanese, Native Americans; Wohleb Olympia Oyster Company around 1924, photograph courtesy Washington State Historical Society Oyster House in 2012, photo by Deb Ross…
Olympia Press building/Burmeister Saloon site
Location: 120 Capitol Way N State Register, National Downtown District, Wohleb Press room of the Daily Olympian 1910, photo courtesy of the Washington State Historical Society Olympia Press Building…
Olympia Public Library (Carnegie Building)
Location: 620 Franklin St SE National, State and Local Register; Women’s History ; Wohleb; Religious Communities Olympia Public Library, undated, postcard from Moody Collection Olympia Public Library building…
Olympia Sand and Gravel
Location: 401 Columbia St NW Wohleb, Transportation Olympia Sand and Gravel building, 1930, from DAHP inventory Olympia Sand and Gravel office building today (2012), photo by Deb Ross…
Olympia Supply
Location: 625 Columbia St SW Diversity: Jewish heritage Olympia Supply, 1987, Courtesy of Olympia Supply Olympia Supply now (2012), photo by Matt Kennelly The Olympia Supply Company is the successor…
Olympia Yacht Club
Location: 201 Simmons St NW Transportation Olympia Yacht Club 1972, cropped from image of Ralph’s Thriftway and Yacht Club, Port of Olympia collection, Southwest Regional Archives Olympia Yacht Club…
Olympian Automotive Building/Site of Olympia Opera House/Site of Agnes Mitchel and Ida B. Smith studio, site of Kaler Market
Location: 509 4th Ave E Popular culture, Transportation, Women Olympia Opera House, 1895-1910, State Library Collection accessed via Digital Archives Olympian Automotive building today (2012), photo by Matthew Kennelly…
Overhulse House
Location: 105 Olympic Way NW Local register Overhulse House 1939, Thurston County Assessor Photo, Washington State Archives Overhulse House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross Built on a fine…
Pacific Building/Munson Millinery/Book Store
Location: 406 Capitol Way SE Downtown National Historical District, Women’s History Munson Millinery in 1870s or 1880s, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Archibald Sisters (Pacific Building) today (2012), Photograph…
Patnude House
Location: 1239 8th Ave SE Local Register, State Register, National Register Patnude House, 1893, Image from Washington State Archives. State Library Photograph Collection. Patnude House today (2011), Photo by Deb Ross…
Pekin Cafe site
Location: 110 Capitol Way N Diversity: Chinese heritage; National Downtown Historic District Pekin Cafe, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Site of Pekin…
Percival Landing
Location: 405 Columbia St NW Transportation, Local register, Popular Culture Percival Wharf 1914, by Robert Esterly, photo from Digital Archives, State Library Collection Percival Landing now (2012), photo by Matthew…
Percival Mansion site
Location: 190 Olympic Way NW (west end of 5th Avenue Bridge) Percival Mansion around 1891, Edward Lange drawing from Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue 1891, Washington State Library Location today (2012), Photo courtesy…
Piety Hill
Location: between Boulevard Bridge and 15th Street, on Boulevard Road Transportation, Schools, Popular Culture Piety Hill School 1903 photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Boulevard Bridge today (2012), Photograph courtesy…
Quist House
Location: 1512 State St NE Diversity: Scandinavians Quist House, 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Quist House today (2010), photo by Deborah Ross The Quist House was built…
Ray Theatre/Timberland Bank
Location: 423 Washington St SE Downtown National Historic District, Popular Culture Ray Theatre, 1914, Robert Esterly photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Timberland Bank building today (2012) photograph from…
Red Top Taxi building/Site of Cohen’s Confectionary
Location: 113 4th Ave W National Downtown Historic District, Diversity: Jewish heritage, Women’s History, Popular Culture, Transportation Cohen’s confectionary, photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society New Moon Cafe…
Reder House
Location: 1207 Olympia Ave NE Olympia Avenue Local Historic District Reder House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Reder House today (2010), photo by Deborah…
Reed Building
Location: 520 Washington St SE National Downtown Historic District, Local Register, Women’s History, Transportation As it appeared in about 1935 Vibert Jeffers. Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives. As the…
Reinhart, C.S. House
Location: 1112 Olympia Ave NE Local register, Olympia Avenue Historical District Reinhart House 1981, Thurston County Assessor’s photograph from Southwest Regional Archives Reinhart House today (2012), photo by Deborah Ross…
Rex Building/site of Our House Restaurant
Location: 301-309 4th Avenue E Local register, Popular Culture; Diversity: African-Americans Rex Theater, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Rex building today (2012), photo…
Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park)
Location: 2600 East Bay Dr NE Local register, Religious institutions, Diversity: Native Americans Dock, Priest Point Park, early 20th century, Olympia Historical Society Collection Squaxin Park (Priest Point Park) today…
Rudkin House
Location: 1005 Olympia Ave NE Local, State and National Registers, Olympia Avenue Local Historic District Rudkin House, photo by Adah Dye about 1936, courtesy State Capital Museum Collection, Washington State…
Sand Man Tug (also spelled Sandman)
Location: Swantown Marina (currently in dry dock) National, State and Local Registers, Transportation Sand Man, 1930s, from Tug Sand Man website Sand Man today (2013), photo by Deb…
Schnably/Buckner House
Location: 1307 Brawne Street NW Local register Schnably-Buckner House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Schnably-Buckner House today (2010) photograph courtesy of Luke Howard The Schnably-Buckner House was built around…
Sears Building/Site of First Presbyterian Church and Manse- Franklin St.
Location: 600 Franklin St SE Religious communities; Downtown National Historic District; mid-Century modern First Presbyterian Church and manse, Franklin Street around 1891, Olympia Tribune Souvenir Edition, Washington State Library Sears…
Schmidt, Frederick W. House (Orange St)
Location: 2831 Orange St SE Local, State and National registers; Wohleb Frederick W Schmidt House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Frederick W Schmidt House today…
Security Building/site of Chambers and Swanton meat market/Mann’s Drug Store
Location: 203 E Fourth Ave. Downtown Olympia National Historical District Chambers and Swanton Meat Market photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Security Building today Photograph courtesy of “Murderbike” via Wikimedia…
Selden’s/Site of First School/Thurston County Courthouse-Franklin Street/Daily Olympian
Location: 220 Legion Way S Schools; Religious institutions Daily Olympian (formerly schoolhouse and courthouse) about 1900, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Selden’s Building today (2012), photo by…
Smith/Brown House
Location: 1710 Eastside Street SE Several unscanned photographs of this house are stored at the Research Center of the Washington State Historical Society. To sponsor a scan, or submit…
Spar Restaurant/Site of Oxford Saloon
Location: 114 4th Ave E National Downtown Historic District, Local register, Wohleb Oxford Saloon, 1914, photo by Robert Esterly, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society The Spar…
St. John’s Episcopal Church (Second site)/First Baptist Church
Location: 904 Washington St SE Local Register, Women’s History, Religious Institutions; Diversity: African-Americans St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1891, photograph from Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue, at State Library First Baptist…
St. Peter Hospital – Sherman Street site
Location: 420 Sherman SW Women’s History, Schools St. Peter Hospital, about 1924, Providence Archives Capital House Apartments today (2012), photo by Matthew Kennelly St. Peter Hospital was founded in the late…
Standard Oil Tank Farm/Olympia Gas Company/Mallory Coal/Rosenthal store
Location: 415 Capitol Way N Transportation; Diversity: Jewish history Olympia Gas Company, Standard Oil Tank Farm, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Location today (2012), photo by Deb Ross…
Steele House
Location: 1010 Franklin St SE National, State, and Local registers Steele House 1968, State Library, Digital Archives collection Steele House today (2012), photo by Matthew Kennelly The only remaining example…
State Theater/Site of Thurston County Courthouse, 4th Avenue/Burmeister saloon and residence
Location: 202 4th Ave E National Downtown Historic District; Wohleb; Popular culture; mid-Century modern Thurston County Courthouse-4th Avenue, 1905, postcard private collection State Theatre today (2003), photo by Ed Echtle…
Stevens Mansion site/World War II memorial
Location: Capitol Campus, near 11th and Capitol located in Washington State Capitol National Historic District, but not identified individually Stevens Mansion in late 1800s or early 1900s, State Library Photograph…
Stuart Block/Miller Department Store
Location: 550 Capitol Way S National Downtown Historic District, Women’s History, Mid-century modern; Diversity: Japanese Stuart Block, 1891 Edward Lange drawing from Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue 1891, Washington State Library…
Sunset Life Insurance Building (first location)
Location: 522 Franklin St SE Religious institutions Sunset Life Insurance Building 1964, image from Thurston County Assessor files, Washington State Archives Original Sunset Life Insurance Building today (2012), photo…
Sunset Life building (Capitol Boulevard)/Site of Carlyon Racetrack and Velodrome
Location: 3138 Capitol Blvd SE Wohleb, Mid-Century Modern Velodrome at Carlyon Park, 1890-1900 Photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Sunset Life building today (2012) Photo from Department of Archaeology…
Sylvester Mansion site
Location: 118 8th St SE Sylvester Mansion 1860-1870 Photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Site of Sylvester Mansion today (2012)Photo courtesy of Deb Ross Edmund Sylvester co-founded the City…
Sylvester Park
Location: 615 Washington St SE National Downtown Historic District, State Register, National Register, Local Register; Women’s History Sylvester Park 1895-1904 Photo from Digital Archives Sylvester Park today (2009) Photo Courtesy…
Talcott Jewelers building
Location: 420 Capitol Way S Local Register, National Downtown Historical District, Wohleb Talcott’s Jewelers, 1964, Thurston County Assessor’s photograph from Southwest Regional Archives Talcott’s building today (2011), photo by Deborah…
Temple of Justice/site of Milo Root and Quincy-Campbell Homes
Location: 415 12th Ave SW Washington State Capitol National Historic District; Diversity: African-Americans Temple of Justice, 1929, Susan Parish Photograph Collection, Digital Archives Temple of Justice today (2012) photograph by…
Territorial Capitol/Legislative Building
Location: 416 Sid Snyder Ave NW Washington State Capitol National Historic District Territorial Capitol at statehood, 1889, Photo from Digital Archives Legislative Building today (2012), Photo from Wikimedia Commons The first purpose-built…
Troy House
Location: 113 17th St SE Local register, South Capitol National Historic District Troy House, 1939, photo from Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Troy House today (2010) photograph by…
Turpin home site/Remodeled Penney’s Building
Location: 521 Capitol Way S Olympia Downtown Historical District, Diversity: Chinese heritage; mid-Century modern Peterfield Turpin house, 1891, Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue, Washington State Library Site today (2012), Photo by Deborah…
Union Block site/New City Hall/Safeway Store site
Location: 601 4th Ave E mid-Century modern (Safeway Building) Union Block 1894, Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society City Hall today (2012), Photo by Matthew Kennelly The two photographs above dramatically…
Walker Building
Location: 500 Capitol Way S Local Register, National Historic Downtown District, Wohleb Musgrove Shoe Store about 1917, Image courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Walker Building today (2012), Photo by Matthew Kennelly…
Ward Building
Location: 317 4th Ave E Local Register; Popular culture Olympia Vocational Technical Institute, from South Puget Sound Community College website Ward Building today (2012) photograph by Matt Kennelly The buildings leading…
Washington Mutual Building/Providence Academy site
Location: 825 Capitol Way SE Schools, Religious Institutions, Women’s History; mid-Century modern Providence Academy, 1943. Jeffers, Susan Parish Photograph Collections, Washington State Archives Washington Mutual Building today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross The…
Washington Standard site
Location: 221 Washington Street NE (corner of Olympia and Washington) The Washington Standard Building as it appeared around 1870 photograph from Digital Archives Site today (2011), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross …
Washington State Employees Credit Union first home
Location: 520 Union Ave SE mid-Century modern First home of Washington State Employees Credit Union, 1968, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives First home of Washington State Employees Credit Union today…
Washington Veneer/Olympia Veneer/Farmer’s Market
Location: 700 Capitol Way N Popular Culture, Diversity: Scandinavians Washington Veneer 1924-1930 photograph from Digital Archives Farmer’s Market today (2012), Photo courtesy of Matthew Kennelly With the completion of the Carlyon…
Watershed Park/Site of Pumping Station
Location: near 1605 Eastside Street Pump Station, Olympia Waterworks, early 20th century watercolor by Edward Lange, City of Olympia Watershed Park with remnant of pumping facility today (2012), photo…
Weatherbie House
Location: 1102 State Ave NE Local register Weatherbie House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor’s files, Washington State Archives Southwest Region Weatherbie House now (2012), photo by Deborah Ross The George and…
Weidner Building/site of Van Epps Store/Nankin Cafe
Location: 116 4th Ave W Downtown National Historic District, Diversity: Chinese Heritage; Wohleb Van Epps store in 1880s, photograph courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Great Cuisine of India and…
West Side Chapel
Location: 703 Rogers NW Religious communities, Schools West Side Chapel, 1961, courtesy Washington State Historical Society West Side chapel today (2012) , photograph by Deb Ross The West Side…
White, William G. House
Location: 1431 11th Ave SE Local Register William White house in 1939, photo from Thurston County assessor’s records, Washington State Archives William White house today (2010) photograph by Deb…