Springer and White Mill – 2/1/15
The Springer & White mill was an important early business in Olympia’s port district. It was co-owned by Charles Springer and Allen White, and fabricated doors and other building elements.…
Safeway Store on Fourth Avenue – 1/25/15
Vibert Jeffers photograph, Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1962 The Safeway Store chain has long been a fixture in the Olympia area. The first store was located in downtown…
Pablo G. (Paul) Campos
Paul is a long-time Olympia area resident, moving to Olympia shortly after joining the staff at the Washington State Senate. He is married to Mary Ann and their three children…
Cheryl Bayle
Cheryl is a long time resident of Olympia, having moved here with her family as an elementary school student. She graduated from Olympia High School and attended the University of…
Construction of I-5 – 1/18/15
During the long planning period leading up to the construction of Interstate 5, several routes were considered, including one that would have tunneled underneath downtown Olympia. Ultimately, it was decided…
Greenwood’s Ark – 1/11/15
Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1930’s; Greenwood’s Ark photograph by Vibert Jeffers In 1920, William Greenwood began to build an ark, convinced that a second flood was imminent. The…
Legislative Building after earthquake – 1/4/15
Susan Parish Collection, Washington State Archives, 1950 This aerial photograph, taken in 1950, shows the dome of the Legislative Building under repair after the 1949 earthquake. Among the many repairs…
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…
The Sanborn overlays: Olympia in 1908
Notable developments between 1891 and 1908 included the completion of the Old State Capitol building overlooking Sylvester Park and the establishment of an electric trolley system that went along Fourth…
The Sanborn overlays: Olympia in 1924 and 1947
This page includes overlay series for both 1924 and 1947. For the 1947 series, Sanborn re-used the 1924 maps and updated them by simply pasting any changes over the original…
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
Tim Ransom
Vice President Term 2012-2014 Tim Ransom has lived in Washington State since 1974 and in Olympia since 1993. After receiving his doctorate in Psychology from the University of California, he has…
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…
2418 Otis
Location: 2418 Otis Street SE Local Register 2418 Otis House, 1940 Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives 2418 Otis House today (2011), photo courtesy Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation…
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…
Acme Fuel Company
Location: 416 State Ave NE Transportation Acme Fuel Co building, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Acme Fuel Co building today (2015), photo by Deb Ross The Acme Fuel Company was…
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…
Adams/Martin House
Location: 1639 Bigelow Ave NE Local register Adams/Martin House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Adams/Martin House today (2013), photo by Marisa Merkel The Adams/Martin House is an attractive small…
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…
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…
Allen House
Location: 3217 Fairfield Rd SE local register Allen House, 1957, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Allen House today (2013), Photo by Deb Ross Built around 1920, The Allen House…
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, Edward House
Location: 417 Olympic Way SW Local register; Diversity: Scandinavians Edward Anderson House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Edward Anderson House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross Edward Anderson…
Anderson, Karl House
Location: 2319 Water St SW South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood; Diversity: Scandinavians Karl Anderson House, 1946, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Karl Anderson House today (2015), photo by Deb Ross…
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…
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…
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),…
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…
Avalon Office Building
Location: 304 4th Ave W Local Register Avalon Office Building, 1950s, Southwest Regional Archives Avalon Office Building today (2017), photo by Deborah Ross The Avalon Office Building was erected in 1928 adjacent to…
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…
Track House – destroyed by fire March 19, 2023
Location: 511 7th Ave SE Popular culture Track House party, about 1996, courtesy Pat Castaldo Track House after fire, March 2023, Photograph courtesy of Deb Ross The Track…
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…
Bailey House
Location: 311 9th Ave SE Local register Bailey House, 1964, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Bailey House today (2013) photo by Deb Ross The Bailey House, located across the street…
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…
Barnes-Osterhout House
Location: 1633 Eastside St SE Barnes/Osterhout House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Barnes/Osterhout House today (2015), photo by Deb Ross When it was erected in about 1908, this home on…
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…
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…
Belsito (Worthington) House-2616 Hillside
Location: 2616 Hillside St Women’s History Belsito House-2616 Hillside, 1942, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Belsito House-2616 Hillside today (2013), Photo by Deb Ross During the late 1930s and…
Belsito (Worthington) House-2626 Hillside
Location: 2626 Hillside St SE Women’s History; Local register Belsito House-2626 Hillside, 1940, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Belsito House-2626 Hillside today (2013), Photo by Deb Ross During the…
Belsito (Worthington) House-27th Ave
Location: 408 27th Ave SE Women’s History; Local Register Belsito House-27th Ave House 1950, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Belsito House-27th Ave House today (2012), Department of Archaeology and…
Belsito (Worthington) House-2716 Hillside
Location: 2716 Hillside St Women’s History; Local Register Belsito House-2716 Hillside, ca. 1940, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Belsito House-2716 Hillside today (2013), Photo by Deb Ross During the…
Benner House
Location: 512 Sherman St SW Wohleb; mid-Century modern Benner House under construction, 1960, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Benner Benner House today (2014), Photo by Deb Ross The Norman and Isabelle…
Bergquist Millwork Building
Location: 402 Washington St NE Bergquist Millwork Building, 1954, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Bergquist Millwork building today (2013), photo by Deb Ross The Bergquist Millwork Building, erected in 1936, is…
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 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…
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-Bailey House
Location: 936 Glass Ave NE Local register Bigelow-Bailey House, 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Bigelow-Bailey House now (2013), photo by Deb Ross This pretty L-shaped house was built by the…
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…
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 Building
Location: 120 4th Ave E Local register; Downtown National Historic District; Diversity: Gay and Lesbian history Boardman Building, 1964, State Archives, Thurston County Assessor Boardman Building 2013, photograph by Marisa Merkel…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Brenner, Earl House
Location: 122 Sherman St. NW Wohleb Earl Brenner House 1966, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Earl Brenner House today (2013), photograph by Deb Ross Earl Brenner was the son…
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…
Bryan House
Location: 1510 Water St SW local register; South Capitol Neighborhood National Historic District Bryan House, 1939, Thurston County assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Bryan House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross…
Buell House
Location: 301 21st Ave SE Local register; South Capitol National Historic District Buell House, 1939, State Archives, Thurston County Assessor Buell House today (2013), photo by Marisa Merkel The Buell House was built in 1931…
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…
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…
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 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…
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 Terrace (Capitol Center) Apartments
Location: 1517 Capitol Way S mid-Century modern Capitol Terrace Apartments, 1951, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Capitol Terrace Apartments today (2015), photo by Deborah Ross Architectural historian Michael Houser notes that…
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…
Carlyon, Philip H. and Edna House (UPI building) – demolished
Location: 201 14th Ave SW Wohleb Carlyon House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Carlyon House in 2015, photo by Deb Ross The Carlyon House, or the UPI building, as…
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…
Century 21 “welcoming pole” (fragments only remaining)
Location: 211 21st St SW mid-Century modern; South Capitol National Historic District; Popular Culture Welcoming pole installed at State Capital Museum 1963, Daily Olympian photo courtesy Washington State Historical Society…
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),…
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…
Chambers, Joseph and Marion House
Location: 2519 Fire Ct SE Local register No vintage photograph has been located; if you have one to share, please contact us Joseph and Marion Chambers 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…
Chandler/Brown House
Location: 2415 Columbia St SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Chandler-Brown House, 1936, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Chandler-Brown House today (2013), photo by Marisa Merkel This…
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…
Charlie’s Tavern
Location: 620 4th Ave E Popular culture Charlie’s Restaurant, 1954, Thurston County Assessor, S0uthwest Regional Archives Charlie’s Tavern today (2015) photograph by Deb Ross Depending on how you calculate it, several downtown taverns…
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…
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…
Christensen Radio/Avalon Annex
Location: 108 Franklin St. NW Local Register; Popular Culture Avalon Annex building, 1964, Southwest Regional Archives Christensen Radio/Avalon Annex Building today (2017), photo by Deborah Ross The Avalon Annex was added in 1949 to the Avalon…
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…
Church of the Brethren
Location: 2129 4th Ave E Religious institutions Church of the Brethren congregation, in front of their original building at this location, in about 1911, used by permission Church of the Brethren building today…
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 House
Location: 147 Rogers St NW Clark House, 1970, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Clark House today (2015), photo by Deborah Ross The Clark House is a large Craftsman style home…
Clark, John House
Location: 2932 Orange St. SE Wohleb John Clark House 1941, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives John Clark House today (2015), photo by Deb Ross The John Clark House is one of…
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…
Cloverfields
Location: 1100 Carlyon Ave SE National, State, and local registers; Wohleb Cloverfields, ca. 1930s, Olympia School District No. 111 Records, Southwest Regional Archives (detail) Cloverfields today (2013), Photo by Deb…
Cloverfields Farm site/third Olympia High School site
Location: 1302 North St SE mid-Century modern; schools Cloverfields Farm, ca. 1930s, Olympia School District No. 111 Records, Southwest Regional Archives (detail) Olympia High School today (2013), Olympia School District…
Cobain, Kurt Apartment
Location: 114 Pear St NE Popular culture Kurt Cobain at 114 Pear Street about 1990 114 Pear St NE today (2015) photograph by Deborah Ross The unassuming house at 114 Pear St…
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 …
Congregational Manse (Anderson House)
Location: 110 10th Ave SW Religious organizations; Local register Congregational Manse, 1954, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Congregational Manse now (2013), photo by Deb Ross Although unpretentious in style, the Congregational Manse…
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…
Counsil House
Location: 231 Central St NE Wohleb Counsil House, 1970, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Counsil House today (2015), photo by Deb Ross This unassuming home was built between 1927 and…
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…
Crombie House
Location: 1512 Columbia St. SW Local register; South Capitol Neighborhood National Historic District Crombie House 1937, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Crombie House today (2013) photo by Deb Ross The…
Crow House
Location: 1610 Water St SW South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Crow House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Crow House today (2015) photo by Deb Ross The Crow House was built around…
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…
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…
Curtiss House
Location: 903 Glass Ave NE Local register; Women’s History Curtiss House, 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Curtiss House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross The Curtiss House on Glass Avenue,…
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…
Dalquest-Gallagher House
Location: 2420 Capitol Way S Local Register, South Capitol National Historic Neighborhood Dalquest House, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Dalquest House today (2021), photo by Deb Ross This Craftsman…
Davis’ Brown Derby
Location: 1003 Capitol Way S Wohleb; Transportation Menu cover from Davis’ Brown Derby, private collection Davis’ Brown Derby Building today (2015), photo by Deb Ross The Davis’ Brown Derby restaurant opened…
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…
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…
Dick Lewis Pontiac Cadillac Dealership (demolished)
Location: 1100 Plum St SE Transportation; mid-Century modern Dick Lewis Pontiac Cadillac, 1964, Tacoma Public Library Photograph collection Hulbert Auto Park in 2015, photo by Deb Ross The Dick Lewis Pontiac…
Dohm House
Location: 805 5th Ave SW Local register; Wohleb Dohm House 1939, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives Dohm House today (2013), photo by Deb Ross One of the most outstanding…
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)…
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…
Dufault House
Location: 1628 Water St SW Local register; South Capitol National Historic District Dufault House, 1965, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Dufault House today (2013), photo by Matt Kennelly The Dufault House,…
Dunbar House
Location: 1118 Olympia Ave NE Local register; Olympia Avenue Historic District; Women’s History Dunbar House, 1954, Thurston County Assessor, Washington State Archives Dunbar House now (2013), photo by Deb Ross The Dunbar…
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…
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 Barbership site
Location: 414 4th Ave E Eastside Barbership, 1914, Robert Esterly photograph, courtesy of Washington State Historical Society Obsidian restaurant today (2015), photo by Deb Ross Since the late 19th century,…
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…
Egbert-Ingham House
Location: 2708 Adams St SE Local register Egbert-Ingham, 1975, in original location, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation Egbert-Ingham today (2011), photograph provided by Olympia Heritage Commission The imposing Egbert-Ingham…
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…
De Danaan and McKinley, Olympia’s Gay and Lesbian History
Llyn De Danaan and Carol McKinley have created a walking tour exploring Olympia’s Gay and Lesbian History. Thank you to them for permitting us to post this on our website.…
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…
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…
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…