David Goularte
David has always been interested in history. His maternal great great grandfather Joseph de Bettencourt came to California shortly after the Civil War to work on the western portion of…
Shirley Battan
Shirley is a graduate of Western Washington University and Seattle University Law School and, after graduation, served as a Washington State Supreme Court Staff Attorney. She was a partner in…
Goldberg’s Building – 12/18/14
Merle Junk photograph, 1951, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives The intersection of Fourth Avenue and Capitol Way is both literally and figuratively the center of Olympia. At one time…
5th Avenue Dam Construction – 12/21/14
Merle Junk photograph, December 1949, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives This photograph from December 1949 shows Capitol Lake under construction. In the foreground is the 4th Avenue Bridge, while…
Block’s Shoe Store – 12/14/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, December 1937, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Block’s Shoe Store was located in the Pacific Building, now the home of Archibald Sisters. The building was once…
The Sanborn Overlays – Introduction
Sanborn Insurance maps were developed between 1867 and 2007 to assist insurance companies in assessing the risk of fire. They contain detailed information about every building and space and associated…
J.C. Penney store – 12/7/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, December 1957, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives The J.C. Penney store occupied a prominent position at the corner of Legion Way and Capitol Way in downtown…
Olympia Cornet Band – 11/30/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives The Olympia Cornet Band was formed in the 1870s and provided entertainment at local events, as well as traveling as far as Victoria, B.C.…
Amateur theatricals – 11/16/14
William Duckering photograph, 1893, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Professional and amateur theater was an important part of early Olympia social life. Here, four amateur thespians rehearse in 1893…
Oyster Bay – 11/23/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Oystering was an important industry from Olympia’s earliest days. In this photograph, taken at Oyster Bay in the 1930s, a line…
Hotel Olympian – 11/9/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, 1937, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives When the state acquired the Old State Capitol Building in 1902, it was apparent that downtown accommodations were inadequate to house…
Olympia Federal Savings – 11/2/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Making a bold modern statement, the Olympia Federal Savings building is a floating glass box framed by metal and brick. Erected in 1967, it…
Japanese at Labor Temple – 10/26/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives, photograph by Vibert Jeffers This photograph of a group of second-generation (Nisei) and third-generation Japanese-Americans was taken at the Labor Temple, also known as…
John Percival in 1940 – 10/19/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives, photograph by Vibert Jeffers John Percival was the second son of pioneer Samuel Wing Percival. In 1877, Samuel entrusted to John the important job…
Harris Dry Goods – 10/12/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives, photograph by Vibert Jeffers Isaac Harris founded Harris Dry Goods in the 1880s. In 1896 he moved the store to Main Street (now Capitol…
Olympia Light and Power – 10/5/14
Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives, photograph by Mae Cummins The Olympia Light & Power Company, organized in 1890, brought the first electricity to Olympia and Tumwater, Washington. The waterwheel-generated…
Miniature Golf – 9/28/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1930 The miniature golf craze hit Olympia in 1930, with two indoor parlors opening that year. This one was located at…
Mann’s Seeds – 9/21/14
Merle Junk photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1960s Champion Bramwell Mann, an early Olympia pioneer, held a variety of public offices, including territorial librarian, Thurston County Treasurer, and…
The Sanborn overlays: Olympia in 1884
After a shaky start in the late 1840s and 1850s, by the early 1880s Olympia was the most important community in Washington Territory, assisted by its status as territorial capital. Although the…
The Sanborn overlays: Olympia in 1891
The pace of Olympia’s growth accelerated with the introduction of a railroad line and statehood. Business was booming in 1891: a close look at the maps shows the erection of…
Ralph’s Thriftway – 9/14/14
Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1958 Ralph’s Thriftway opened at its present location on State Avenue in 1956. It was a showcase for the very latest…
Capitol Lake swimming area – 9/7/14
Merle Junk photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, around 1968 This aerial photograph, taken around 1968, shows the bathing area of Capitol Lake, a popular summertime spot for Olympia’s…
Avalon Theater – 8/31/14
Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives The Avalon Theater was built in 1928, one of several movie theaters in downtown Olympia. The architect was Franklin Cox Stanton,…
Olympia Oyster – 8/24/14
Attribution: Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives This building was designed in 1924 by architect Joseph Wohleb as a packing and storage facility for the Olympia Oyster…
Ruth Stubbs at Allison Springs – 8/17/14
Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Ruth Stubbs, now Ruth Stubbs Lewis, recalls that this photograph was taken as a publicity photograph for a calendar, in August…
Armory – 8/10/14
Attribution: Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives This photograph was taken in August of 1939 soon after the Armory building was completed. The building, on Legion Way…
Fifth Avenue in 1942 – 8/3/14
Attribution: Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Photographer Vibert Jeffers took this photograph in 1942, looking west down Fifth Avenue in downtown Olympia. Many of the buildings…
Fourth Avenue looking west – 7/27/2014
Susan Parish Photograph Collection, Washington State Archives, undated postcard, about 1910 In this postcard photograph, taken about 1910, we are looking west up Fourth Avenue from Adams Street. Trolley…
Anderson Apartments – 7/20/14
Attribution: Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Photograph Collection, Washington State Archives, 1938 The Anderson Apartment building was located on North Capitol Way, adjacent to Zeigler’s Welding. Like other lodging establishments…
Acme Fuel Company at Capitol – 7/13/14
Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Photograph Collection, Washington State Archives, 1935 The Acme Fuel Company was founded in 1925 by the Springer Mill Company as a way to sell off their…
Beer Cans at Broyles Market – 7/6/14
Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, July 1938 In this photograph from 1938, Olympia’s Broyles Grocery store is advertising “Beer in Keg Lined Cans.” Beer cans were…
Wildwood Shopping Center – 6/29/14
Olympia Centennial Souvenir Program, Southwest Regional Archives The Wildwood Building (also known as the G.C. Valley Shopping Center) was the first shopping center built in Olympia, in 1938. The building…
St. John’s Episcopal Church – 6-22-2014
The St. John’s Episcopal congregation celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2014. The structure pictured here was the congregation’s second structure, built in 1888 at 9th Avenue and Washington Street. It…
Fire at National Wood Pipe – 6/15/14
In early days of western cities’ development, municipal water was conducted through threaded wooden pipes, a healthier and cheaper material than lead. Our thriving port, with its abundant nearby forest…
Elks Club Caravan – 6/8/14
In June 1933, the Studebaker company sponsored a group of Elks Club members on a journey from Los Angeles to Milwaukee, a promotion for their short-lived Rockne model. Here the…
Funeral Procession for Unclaimed Dead – 5/25/14
State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives On March 18, 1900, the City of Olympia was honored to host the funeral for unclaimed dead Spanish-American War soldiers…
Centennial Parade – 5/13/2014
Merle Junk photographer, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives On May 5, 1950, the City of Olympia celebrated its centennial with a parade. Here, a float, featuring bathing beauties over…
St. Martin’s College – 5/14/14
State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives St. Martin’s College in Lacey, Washington, now St. Martin’s University, was founded in 1895. In this early aerial photograph we…
Geographic Resources – Maps, Walking Tours, Interactive Maps, Graphics
On this website Walking Tours Unless indicated, these are City of Olympia and neighborhood-sponsored walking tours and brochures, scanned to this website. Note: some of these are…
Stevenson: Thurston County Markers
Marking Time: Thurston County Historical Markers by Shanna B. Stevenson Olympia: POSSCA, 1983. Historical markers erected throughout the years by various groups to commemorate persons or events of local historical…
Chambers Block in 1891 – 5/4/14
The Olympia Tribune published a promotional brochure in 1891 highlighting important people and places in and around Olympia. This image is of the Chambers Block at Fourth Avenue and Main Street (now…
Olympia High School – 4/27/14
State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives,http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov The institution formally named William Winlock Miller High School, but known by all as Olympia High School, has existed…
Mosquito Fleet at Percival Landing – 4/20/14
In the days when Puget Sound was the equivalent of our Interstate 5, dozens of small, privately owned steam-driven freight and passenger vessels, dubbed the Mosquito Fleet, plied the waterways between…
Sapp, Bernice: Olympia 100 Years Ago
[This article by local historian Bernice Sapp was included in Gordon Newell’s small book, “So Fair a Dwelling Place,” fully transcribed here by Ed Echtle. Miss Sapp wrote this about…
Old State Capitol Building after 1949 Earthquake – 4/13/14
On April 13, 1949 a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Puget Sound, the largest ever recorded. It caused extensive damage and destruction to downtown Olympia and to the State Capitol Campus…
Flame Princesses
Photographic negative, of a group of three young women identified as the flame princesses,Olympia, WA, Thurston County, evidently a beauty contest associated with the Olympia Fire Department. They are posed…
Olympia Historical Society Newsletter – Summer 2008
Click on link to view a PDF of this newsletter, originally issued in print. Scanned March 4, 2014 OHSnews004
Olympia Historical Society Newsletter – Spring 2008
Click on link to view a PDF version of this newsletter, which was issued in print. Scanned March 4, 2014. OHSnews003
Olympia Historical Society Newsletter – Spring 2005
Click on link to view a PDF version of this letter, which was originally issued in print. Scanned March 4, 2014. OHSnews002
Olympia Historical Society Newsletter – Spring 2009
Click on link below to view a PDF of this newsletter, originally issued in print. Scanned March 4, 2014 OHSnews005
Olympia Historical Society Newsletter – Winter 2004-2005
This is the inaugural issue of the OHS newsletter, which was issued in print form only; scanned March 4, 2014. Click on the link to view in PDF format. OHSnews001
Agnew Duplex
Location: 1023 Olympia Ave NE Local register; Olympia Avenue Historical District Agnew Duplex, 1938, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Agnew Duplex today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Agnew…
American Legion Hall
Location: 219 Legion Way SW Local, State, and National registers; Wohleb; Women’s History; Popular Culture American Legion Hall 1950, Susan Parish collection, Southwest Regional Archives American Legion Hall today (2014),…
Anderson, Olof House
Location: 410 Sherman St NW Local register; Diversity: Scandinavians Olof Anderson House, 1953, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Olof Anderson House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This large colonial revival…
Anderson, Ossian House
Location: 205 25th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Diversity: Scandinavians Ossian Anderson House, 1960, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Ossian Anderson House today (2014), photo…
Archives Building
Location: 1129 Washington St SE mid-Century modern Archives Building under construction (from Capitol Way), 1963, Merle Junk photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Archives building today (from Washington Street) (2014),…
Avalon Theater Building (Griswold’s – demolished)
Location: 308 4th Ave E Popular culture Avalon Theater, 1936, Jeffers photograph. Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Avalon Theater (Griswold’s) building (2014), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The Avalon Theater was…
Backlund House
Location: 616 Boundary St SE Diversity: Scandinavians Backlund House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Backlund House today (2014), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross This imposing brick home was built by Frank…
Beck Fiskal House
Location: 2324 7th Ave SE Local register Fiskal House, 1969, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Fiskal House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Tucked into a quiet street off…
Bettman Store first site
Location: 312 Capitol Way N Diversity: Jewish heritage “Lower Main Street,” detail, Asahel Curtis studio, 1902, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Site today (portion) (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
Blankenship, George and Georgiana House
Location: 205 15th Ave SW Women’s History; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood George and Georgiana Blankenship House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives George and Georgiana Blankenship House…
Boardman House
Location: 406 18th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Boardman House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Boardman House now (2014), photograph by Deb Ross The Boardman House, built in…
Boyles House
Location: 214 18th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Boyles House, 1936, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Boyles House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Brenner, J.J. House
Location: 130 Sherman St. NW J.J. Brenner House 1966, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives J.J. Brenner House today (2014), photograph by Deb Ross JJ Brenner entered the oyster business in Thurston County…
Bridges/Goldberg House
Location: 301 21st Ave SW Women’s history; Diversity: Jewish Heritage; South Capitol National Historic District Bridges/Goldberg House 1955, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Bridges/Goldberg House today (2014), photo by…
Burford House
Location: 1517-1519 Columbia St SW South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Women’s History Burford House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Burford House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross…
Campbell House
Location: 404 17th Ave SE Local Register, South Capitol National Historic District We have not located a vintage photograph of this home. If you have one to share, please contact…
Capital Savings and Loan Building
Location: 222 5th Ave SE mid-Century modern; National Register, State Heritage Register; Downtown National Historic District Capital Savings and Loan Building 1964, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation files Capital…
Capitol Center Building (Views on Fifth)
Location: 410 5th Ave NW mid-Century modern Capitol Center Building late 1960s, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation collection Capitol Center Building in 2014 before remodeling (2014), photo by Deb…
Capitol Lake Restrooms and Bath House
Location: Water Street and Legion Way mid-Century modern; Diversity: gay and lesbian history Capitol Lake Restrooms, undated, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation collection Capitol Lake restrooms today (2014), photo…
Capitol Park (or Capital Park) (“1063”) building site (demolished)/Helen Sommers Building
Location: 1063 Capitol Way S Women’s history, Popular culture Capitol Park (1063) Building, 1951, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Capitol Park (1063) building in 2014, photo by Deb Ross The…
Capitol Theater and office annex
Location: 204 5th Ave SE Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb 5th Avenue looking west, with Capitol Theater, 1942, Vibert Jeffers, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Capitol Theater today (2014),…
Carlson House
Location: 1015 Olympia Ave NE Local register, Olympia Avenue Local Historic District No vintage photograph of this house has been located. If you have one to share, please contact us.…
Carlton/Columbia Hotel site
Location: 114 Columbia St NW Downtown National Historic District Carlton Hotel, 1902, William Romans and Asahel Curtis, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Location today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The…
Centennial Park/Daniel Evans Tree/Rossell O’Brien House site
Location: 201 Union Ave SE Heritage Tree O’Brien home in the background, 1949, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Centennial Park today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Rossell O’Brien, an Irish…
Chambers, Andsworth/Flo and Ted Brodie House
Location: 1821 Water St SW South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood, Women’s History Andsworth Chambers/Flo Brodie House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Andsworth Chambers/Flo Brodie House today (2013),…
Chandler House
Location: 2053 East Bay Drive NE Local register Chandler House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Chandler House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Chandler House is situated…
Christensen House
Location: 2020 Water St SW Local register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Christensen House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Christensen House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Christian Science Church/Temple Beth Hatfiloh/site of Rosenthal Home
Location: 201 8th Ave SE Religious institutions; Diversity: Jewish heritage Christian Science church, 1961, courtesy Washington State Historical Society Temple Beth Hatfiloh (Christian Science building) today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
City Hall Building-Plum Street
Location: 900 Plum St SE mid-Century modern; Wohleb; Diversity: African-Americans; Women’s History Aerial of City Hall postcard, around 1960s, from Moody Collection City Hall-Plum Street Building (Creighton Justice Center) today…
Clark, Thomas House
Location: 1126 Olympia Ave NE Local register, Olympia Avenue Local Historic District Thomas Clark House 1970, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Thomas Clark House today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross The Thomas…
Clemons House
Location: 418 18th Ave SE Local register, South Capitol National Historic District Clemons House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Clemons House today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross This small bungalow…
Cowling Building
Location: 117 Washington St NE Downtown National Historic District; popular culture Cowling Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Cowling Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This utilitarian building…
Crocker House
Location: 3116 Lorne St SE Local register Crocker House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Crocker House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This modest bungalow was built about 1920,…
Crocker Rubber building
Location: 113 Columbia St NW Downtown National Historic District; popular culture Crocker Rubber Building 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Crocker Rubber Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
Cunningham House
Location: 311 19th St SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Cunningham House, 1941, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Cunninghan House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Cunningham House is…
Dairy Queen building/site of Washington Equal Suffrage Association
Location: 1050 Capitol Way S Wohleb; mid-Century modern; Transportation; Women’s history Dairy Queen building 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Dairy Queen Building today (2013), photo by Deb Ross…
Dawley, L.E. House
Location: 119 22nd Ave SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic District L.E. Dawley House, 1956, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives L.E. Dawley House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Dawley (120 Union) building and 1007 Washington Building
Location: 120 Union Ave SE and 1007 Washington St SE mid-Century modern Dawley (120 Union) Building, 1960s, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Dawley Building today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross Two side-by-side buildings…
Deane Apartments
Location: 515 Adams St SE Deane Apartments, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Deane Apartments today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This handsome Mission-style apartment building was erected in 1935, and…
Donald Building
Location: 205 5th Ave SE Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb; Popular culture Donald Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Donald Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The…
Donoghue/McCaughan House
Location: 1212 Olympia Ave NE Local register; Olympia Avenue Historic District Donoghue/McCaughan House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Donoghue/McCaughan House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Donoghue/McCaughan House is…
Dufault Building
Location: 113 5th Ave SW Downtown National Historic District No vintage photograph of this building has been located: if you have one to share, please contact us Dufault Building…
Dunbar, John House
Location: 426 17th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic District John Dunbar House, undated, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives John Dunbar House today (2014), photo by Deb…
Elks Building/site of Isaac Ellis home
Location: 607-613 Capitol Way S Local, State, and National registers; Olympia Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb Gathering of Elks at Elks Building, 1933, Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest…
Elliott House
Location: 1603 4th Ave W Local Register; mid-Century Modern Elliott House, 1949, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Elliott House today (2014), photograph by Deb Ross The Donald & Irene Elliott House…
Ellsworth Duplex
Location: 211 19th Ave SW Local register, South Capitol National Historic District, Wohleb Ellsworth Duplex 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Ellsworth Duplex today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Ellsworth…
Ellsworth House
Location: 203 19th Ave SW Local register, South Capitol National Historic District Ellsworth House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Ellsworth House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Ellsworth House is an…
Evergreen Plaza/Unitarian Church site
Location: 711 Capitol Way S mid-Century modern; Religious institutions; Transportation Unitarian Church, detail from 1879 Bird’s Eye view, linked below (marked #7) Evergreen Plaza today (2014), photo by Deb Ross With…
Faris House
Location: 2920 Capitol Boulevard S Local register Faris House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Faris House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Faris house was erected about…
Farquhar Store-Legislative Building, Lobby, Armory
Location: 7th Avenue and Adams St Farquhar Store, Jeffers Photograph of earlier drawing of unknown date, Susan Parish Photograph Collection, 1889-1990, Washington State Archives Farquhar site today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
First Christian Church
Location: 701 Franklin St SE Religious institutions; Wohleb; Local register First Christian around 1897, from Lawson, 100 Years of Christian Witness. First Christian Church today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Disciples…
First National Bank of Seattle (Olympia National Bank) Annex
Location: 110 5th Ave SE Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb Undated photo, from WISAARD database linked below National Bank of Seattle Annex today (2014), photo by Deb Ross In…
Five Firs Point-Blankenship House site (demolished)
Location: 513 Flora Vista Dr NE Women’s history; Religious institutions Five Firs (lower right, cropped from photo that includes Floravista bulb farm), 1947, courtesy Kathy Farr Five Firs Point today (2014) photograph…
Fleetwood Building
Location: 119 7th Ave SE Local register; Women’s History; Popular culture Laying conduit for Fleetwood Building (in background), 1938, Washington State Department of Transportation photo, State Archives Fleetwood…
Fleming House
Location: 1717 Jefferson St SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Fleming House, 1942, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Fleming House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Fleming House was built…
Forsberg, Gust and Nanny House
Location: 1908 Washington St SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Gust and Nanny Forsberg House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Gust and Nanny Forsberg House today (2014), photo…
Gibbons House
Location: 1017 Capitol Way S Local register, Women’s History Jessie Gibbons and daughter Catherine, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Gibbons House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross This large…
Golden Gavel Motel building (Sandy’s Flats)
Location: 909 Capitol Way SE Transportation; mid-Century modern Golden Gavel Motel, 1960s, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Golden Gavel Motel building today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross The Golden Gavel Motel building was…
Guyot House
Location: 902 Olympia Ave NE Local register, Olympia Avenue Local Historic District Guyot House 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Guyot House today(2014), photo by Deb Ross The Guyot House…
Hamley House
Location: 3008 Lorne St SE Local register Hamley House, 1941, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Hamley House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Hamley House was built in 1940…
Harbst Tire building/Site of Olympia Fire Co. No. 2
Location: 407 Columbia St SW Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb; Diversity: African Americans; Transportation Olympia Fire Co. No. 2, 1891, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Harbst Tire Building today…
Hart-Dawley House
Location: 121 24th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Hart-Dawley House 1940, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Hart-Dawley House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Hibberd & Cole Building/Postal Telegraph/Carroll House site
Location: 522 Capitol Way S Local register; Downtown National Historic District; Women’s History Main Street with Carroll House, 1876 (detail), courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Hibberd & Cole Building today…
Highmiller House
Location: 1200 Terrace Lane SW Local Register No vintage photograph for this home has been located. If you have one to share, please contact us Highmiller House today (2014), photograph by…
Hinkle House
Location: 2604 Capitol Way S Local register, South Capitol National Historic District Hinkle House 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Hinkle House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross This…
Huesing House/Orchard Park Plat
Location: 1923 Division St NW Local register Huesing House, 1936, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Huesing House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross In 1892 Samuel Woodruff, member of an…
Hurley House
Location: 1204 4th Ave E Hurley House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Hurley House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This handsome Foursquare style home was built in 1911…
Kelly House
Location: 430 Percival St NW Local register Kelly House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Kelly House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Kelly House is one of several homes on Percival and…
KGY Building
Location: 1700 Marine Drive NE mid-Century modern; Wohleb; National Register (accepted Oct 2024) KGY Building, 1960s, KGY Archives KGY Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The KGY Building is one of…
Lassen House
Location: 424 Rogers St NW local register, Rogers Street Historic District Lassen House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Lassen House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Lassen House is…
La Villa – Meeker Mansion
Location: 1010 Rogers St SW Local Register La Villa-Meeker House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives La Villa-Meeker House today (2014), photograph by Deb Ross Erected between 1930 and 1935, La…
Le May House
Location: 434 Percival St NW Local register Le May House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Le May House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Le May House, built…
Liberty Cafe building/William J. Yeager homesite
Location: 212 4th Ave E Downtown National Historic District Fourth Avenue looking west, Yeager Home on right, about 1874, left side of a stereograph, courtesy Washington State Historical Society Liberty…
Lo Ma Villa (Muench House)
Location: 2621 Capitol Way S Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Women’s History Lo Ma Villa 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Lo Ma Villa today (2014), photo…
Lowry House
Location: 1627 Dickinson St NW Lowry House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Lowry House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Lowry House was constructed in about 1890. At the…
Mann’s Seeds Building/Rainy Day Records
Location: 301 5th Ave E Popular culture Mann’s Seeds Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Mann’s Seeds Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The utilitarian structure at the…
Marathon Park
Location: Deschutes Parkway Women’s History The first women’s marathon trials, 1984, courtesy The Olympian Marathon Park today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Marathon Park, first created in 1970 out of fill that…
Martin, James Warehouse
Location: 115 State Ave NE Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb James Martin Warehouse, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives James Martin Warehouse today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The James Martin…
Martin/Tiffany House
Location: 112 18th Ave SW Local register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood No vintage photograph has been located for this home. If you have one to share, please contact us.…
Maury House
Location: 1604 Water St SW Local register; South Capitol Neighborhood National Historic District Maury House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Maury House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
McCoy-Trullinger House
Location: 121 19th Ave SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood McCoy/Trullinger House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives McCoy/Trullinger House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This Craftsman…
McCormick House
Location: 1702 4th Ave E Local register McCormick House 1956, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives McCormick House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The McCormick House on busy 4th Avenue…
McCully House
Location: 1625 Sylvester St SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Women’s History; Wohleb McCully House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives McCully House today (2014), photo by…
McElroy, H.B. Store
Location: 414 Capitol Way S Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb H.B. McElroy Store Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives H.B. McElroy Store Building today (2014), photo by…
McKenny, Margaret House
Location: 2201 Water St SW Women’s History; South Capitol National Historic District Margaret McKenny House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Margaret McKenny House today (2014), photo by Deb…
McLaughlin House
Location: 114 22nd Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood No vintage photograph has been located; if you have one to share, please contact us McLaughlin House…
McMurry House
Location: 502 Edison St SE Local register McMurry House 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives McMurry House today (2014) Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The McMurry House is located in a quiet…
Medical Arts Building
Location: 1015 4th Ave SW mid-Century modern Perspective of Medical Arts Building, about 1962, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Medical Arts Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Medical Arts…
Meeker House
Location: 1202 10th Ave SW Local register Meeker House 1959, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Meeker House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This elaborate Mission revival style building overlooks…
Meeker/Bean House
Location: 834 Percival Street SW Local register; Diversity: Jewish Heritage Meeker/Bean House 1957, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Meeker/Bean House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This is the first-built of three unusual…
Metropolitan Life Insurance Building
Location: 1006 4th Ave NE mid-Century modern Metropolitan Life Insurance Building 1960s, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation files Metropolitan Life Insurance Building (Crain’s Office Supply) today (2014), photo by…
Meyer-Chitty House
Location: 616 Milas St NE Meyer-Chitty House 1936, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Meyer-Chitty House today (2014), photo by Deborah Ross Perched atop a bluff in East Olympia, overlooking Budd Inlet, the…
Mills, George G/Kent House
Location: 2061 East Bay Drive NE Local register George G Mills/Kent House 1955, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives George G Mills/Kent House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Minor House
Location: 1528 Columbia St SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Diversity: Scandinavians Minor House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Minor House today (2014), photo by Deb…
Moore House
Location: 3811 Pifer Rd SE Local register; Women’s History Moore House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Moore House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross John and Olivia Moore built this…
O’Leary, Dan House
Location: 2422 Washington St SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Dan O’Leary House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Dan O’Leary House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
O’Leary, John House
Location: 118 18th Ave SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood John O’Leary House, 1938, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives John O’Leary House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
Olympia Federal Savings and Loan/Funk-Volland Building site/Elwood Evans home site
Location: 421 Capitol Way S Downtown National Historic District; mid-Century modern Centennial Parade, 1950, with Funk-Volland Building in background, Merle Junk Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Olympia Federal…
Munson House
Location: 2112 Capitol Way S Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Munson House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Munson House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Munson House was built…
Olympia Lumber and Mercantile site
Location: 426 Fourth Ave E Olympia Lumber and Mercantile, about 1910, State Library Collection, Digital Archives Site today (2014) Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross At one time much of east Fourth Avenue was lined…
Olympia Tug and Barge/Delta Smyth Tugs and Barges site
Location: Percival Landing Transportation; Local Register Olympia Tug & Barge Co, Robert Esterly photo, ca. 1914, courtesy Washington State Historical Society Site of Olympia Tug & Barge at Percival Landing today (2014),…
Pacific Tel & Tel site/Thurston First Building
Location: 217-223 5th Ave SE Women’s History; Transportation Pacific Tel and Tel Building, ca. 1929, Vibert Jeffers Photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Thurston First Building today (2014), photo by…
Paine House
Location: 428 Rogers St NW local register, Rogers Street Historic District Paine House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Paine House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Paine House is…
Patterson House
Location: 926 Bethel St NE Local register Patterson House, 1958, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Patterson House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Patterson home was built in…
Penney’s Annex Building
Location: 510 Columbia SW Downtown National Historic District; Transportation Penney’s Annex Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Penney’s Annex Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This building on…
Percival House
Location: 811 4th Ave W Women’s History; Religious Institutions Percival House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Percival House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Queen Anne style home known…
Peters House
Location: 1516 4th Ave E Local register; Religious institutions Peters House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Peters House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Peters House is a relatively…
Phillips House
Location: 224 17th Ave SE Local register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Phillips House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Phillips House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This comfortable…
Pinehurst Cottage
Location: 1622 Pine Ave NE Local register Pinehurst Cottage, 1970, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Pinehurst Cottage today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Pinehurst Cottage is a charming example of…
Porak/Lee House
Location: 2508 Washington St SE Local register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Porak/Lee House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Porak/Lee House today (2014), Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross Built in…
Potts House
Location: 418 Rogers St NW local register, Rogers Street Historic District Potts House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Potts House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Potts House is…
Purdue House
Location: 420 Lybarger St SE Local register Purdue House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Purdue House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This modest, well-preserved home in Olympia’s east…
Rabeck Building
Location: 311 4th Ave E Local register; Popular culture Rabeck Music Store (in next block to the east), Piano Trade Magazine, 1915 Rabeck Music Store building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross…
Ralph’s Thriftway
Location: 1908 4th Ave E mid-Century modern Ralph’s Thriftway, 1958, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives Ralph’s Thriftway today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Ralph’s Thriftway opened at its present location between…
Reed Building Annex
Location: 212 Legion Way SE National Downtown Historic District We have not located a vintage photograph of this building.If you have one to share, please contact us. Reed Building…
Robbins House
Location: 606 Central NE Robbins House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Robbins House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Robbins House is an excellent and well preserved example…
Robbins-Mallett House
Location: 907 Olympia Ave NE Local register, Olympia Avenue Local Historic Neighborhood Robbins-Mallett House, 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Robbins-Mallett House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This fine early…
Rockway-Leland Building
Location: 119 Washington St NE Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb; mid-Century modern; popular culture Rockway-Leland Building, around 1941, courtesy Michael Houser Rockway-Leland Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Rockway-Leland…
Roys House
Location: 423 Olympic Way SW Local register; Wohleb Roys House in 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Roys House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Hartman Roys was a supervisor at the Port…
Stoecker/Gunstone House and Heritage Tree
Location: 1701 4th Ave E National and Local registers; Heritage Tree program Gunstone House, 1940s. Gunstone family collection, courtesy Tina Roose. Gunstone House and Tree today (2014), photo by Deb…
Thorp Motors building (south end)/Parker and Colter/first Territorial Legislature site/Gold Bar restaurant site
Location: 222 Capitol Way N Diversity: Chinese; Transportation Gold Bar Restaurant about 1900, photograph by W.A. Van Epps, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Thorp Motors building today (south end)…
Safeway Building
Location: 507 Capitol Way S Downtown National Historic District Safeway Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Safeway Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This building was erected…
Mustard House
Location: 1617 Capitol Way S South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Women’s History Mustard House, 1936, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Mustard House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Mustard House on…
Schmidt, Robert and Jeannette House
Location: 703 Governor Stevens SE Local register Robert and Jeannette Schmidt House, 1940, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Robert and Jeannette Schmidt House today (2014) photo by Deb Ross The Robert and…
Seattle First National Building/site of first brewery
Location: 210 5th Ave SW mid-Century modern Seattle First National Building 1960s, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Seattle First National (Bank of America) Building today (2014), photo by…
Second Church of Christ, Scientist
Location: 1403 Garfield St. NW Local Register; mid-Century Modern; Religious Institutions; Schools Second Church of Christ, Scientist building 1950, Merle Junk photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives Second Church of…
Seventh Day Adventist Church building/Assembly of God site
Location: 618 Puget St NE Religious institutions; Local register; Women’s History; Wohleb; Diversity: African-Americans Seventh Day Adventist Building, ca. 1950s, used by permission of Olympia Christian School Seventh Day Adventist…
Silsby House
Location: 606 13th Ave SE Local register Silsby House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Silsby House today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross The John and Josephine Silsby House on 13th…
Simenson Jeweler Building
Location: 217 4th Ave E Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb Simenson Jeweler Building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Simenson Jeweler Building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The…
Springer House
Location: 303 17th Ave SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Wohleb Springer House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Springer House today (2013), photo by Deb…
Springer and White mill site
Location: end of Jefferson St., north of Hands on Museum Transportation Springer and White mill, Edward Lange, 1891 Olympia Tribune Souvenir Issue, Washington State Library Site of Springer and White…
Star Laundry Building/Stevens Survey Party Heaquarters
Location: 301 Capitol Way N Star Laundry Building 1960, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Star Laundry Building today(2014), photo by Deb Ross When Isaac I. Stevens was appointed…
State Parking Garage/Mark and Ann Conner Hartsuck homesite
Location: 119 10th Ave SW mid-Century modern; Women’s history; Transportation No vintage photograph has been scanned either of the Hartsuck home or the State Parking garage. If you have one…
Stentz House
Location: 223 18th Ave SE Local register, Wohleb No vintage photo has been located for this home. If you have one to share, please contact us. Stentz House today…
Strom House
Location: 312 17th Ave SE Local register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Diversity: Scandinavians Strom House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Strom House today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross This attractive Tudor style cottage…
Talcott Apartments and Commercial Buildings
Location: 601 Capitol Way S and 115 Legion Way SW Downtown National Historic District Talcott Apartments, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Talcott Apartments and Commercial Buildings today (2014), photo by…
Talcott Commercial Building-Columbia Street
Location: 606 Columbia St SW Downtown National Historic District Talcott Commercial Building-Columbia Street, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Talcott Commercial Building-Columbia Street today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Tracey House
Location: 702 Boundary St SE Tracey House, 1939, Thurston County assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Tracey House today (2010), photo by Deb Ross The Tracey House is described in the City of…
Transit-Columbia Bakery building
Location: 105 Columbia St NW Downtown National Historic District; Wohleb? Transit-Columbia Building, 1984, City of Olympia Planning Department collection, Washington State Archives Transit-Columbia Bakery Building today (2014), photo by…
Treat House
Location: 316 17th Ave SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic District Treat House, 1938, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Treat House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Albert M.…
United Churches of Olympia
Location: 110 Eleventh Ave SE Religious institutions United Churches of Olympia, around 1960, United Churches of Olympia collection United Churches of Olympia today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The United Churches…
Van Epps building
Location: 107 Capitol Way N Downtown National Historic District Van Epps Building, ca. 1895, Courtesy Washington State Historical Society Van Epps building today (2014), photo by Deb Ross Theodore C.…
Vance House
Location: 321 17th Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Vance House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Vance House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross This…
Ward, Samuel House
Location: 137 Sherman St NW Local register, Women’s history Samuel Ward House, 1970, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Samuel Ward House today (2009), photo by Deb Ross The Samuel Ward House…
Ward-Levenhagen House
Location: 432 Rogers St NW local register, Rogers Street Historic District Ward Levenhagen House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Ward Levenhagen House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross The Ward…
Washington Center/Liberty Theatre site
Location: 512 Washington St SE Downtown National Historic District; Popular culture Liberty Theatre, ca. 1935, Susan Parish Collection, Southwest Regional Archives, photo by V. Jeffers Washington Center for the Performing Arts…
Washington State Library (Joel Pritchard) Building
Location: 415 15th Ave SW mid-Century modern; State and National registers Washington State Library (Joel Pritchard) Building, around 1959, Hugh Stratford Photograph, State Library Collection, Digital Archives State Library building today…
Watkins House
Location: 718 Governor Stevens Ave SE Local register Watkins House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Watkins House today (2014), photo by Deb Ross In the early 1920s, Olof…
Weidner Auto Court/Ouellette House site
Location: 915 Capitol Way S local register; Wohleb; transportation Rear view of Weidner Auto Court, on 10th Avenue, 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Weidner Auto Court buildings today (2014),…