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Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum
Olympia Historical Society website
Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum
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    • The Sanborn Overlays – Introduction
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      • 1884
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    • The Story of the Bigelow House
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  • Home
  • The Society & Museum
    • About Us
    • Land Acknowledgement Statement
    • Mission Statement
    • Board
    • OHS-BHM Annual Reports to City Council
    • Strategic Plan
    • OHS & BHM Gerry L. Alexander Award for Outstanding Achievement in Heritage
    • OHS-BHM Vision Statement for Old City Hall & Fire Station
    • OHS-BHM Video/Photo Agreement
    • Membership
    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved!
  • Research Olympia history
    • Resources
      • Bibliography
      • Geographic Resources
      • Photos and films
      • Links
    • Where Are We? Historic and heritage sites
      • Interactive Map
      • Where Are We? Contents
    • Who are we? Area residents 1845-1930
    • The Sanborn Overlays – Introduction
      • The Sanborn Overlays – Instructions and Tips
      • 1884
      • 1891
      • 1908
      • 1924 and 1947
    • Sylvester’s Window
    • Many Streams – A Resource Guide
    • Queries
  • Bigelow House Museum
    • The Story of the Bigelow House
    • Bigelow House Photograph Collection
    • Meet the Bigelow Family
    • Visitor Information
    • Volunteer
  • Calendar of Events

June 29, 2025

James Alden painting of early Olympia

Looking Back - Images from the Sunday OlympianBy Olympia Historical SocietyJune 29, 2025

Looking Back’s theme for 2025 features Thurston County area photographers, artists, and their subjects. James Madison Alden was an artist, topographer and junior officer aboard the U.S.S. Active for the U.S. Coast Survey. This watercolor is the earliest known image of Olympia, painted in 1857, looking north down what is now Capitol Way. The large building at…

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