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 Eastside Street would have been considered remote from downtown. It abutted the city’s waterworks in what is now Watershed Park. The home is of a unique design with a two-story bay window. (When architectural historians cannot use a well-known style to describe a building, they call it “vernacular”.) Frank Barnes, the original owner, managed the Postal Telegraph office downtown. Later on the home was owned by the Osterhout family.

Olympia Heritage inventory

The Heart of Harriet February 12, 2023 Time: 3:00 – 4:15 pm
We fondly remember Miss Anthony’s 200th Birthday at the Bigelow House in 2020! Ever celebrating her 1871 visit to the Bigelow House and looking forward to future events to celebrate. Celebrate her 203rd Birthday early online with the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum this Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Noon, PST! See below for more…
February 11, 2023
New exhibit “Our Town” opening at the Washington Center for Performing Arts on Monday January 23rd
Anyone with an interest in local history and the visual arts will look forward to viewing the new exhibit “Our Town” opening at the Washington Center for Performing Arts on Monday January 23rd. The exhibit has been designed and produced by the Olympia Arts & Heritage Alliance (AHA) which is also host for the opening…
January 9, 2023
It’s Time to Join or Renew Your Membership!
Yes, December marks the best time of year to join or to renew your membership with the Olympia Historical Society-Bigelow House Museum. You can mail-in your membership form and check for 2023. Or, if more convenient, you can pay on-line with your credit card or PayPal from the homepage by clicking on The Society &…
December 1, 2022

Langridge sisters – 3/19/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Langridge Avenue and Langridge Loop, in northwest Olympia, are likely named for the Langridge family. Father George, originally from England, arrived in this area in the mid 1800s. Pictured here are his three daughters, Alice, Frances, and Kate. Photograph selected and captioned by Deborah…
March 19, 2023
Iva Van Epps and Ruth Allison – 3/12/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Van Epps Street, in southeast Olympia, is likely named for the Van Epps family. The father, Theodore Van Epps, ran a stationery store, and later a real estate office. Pictured here is his daughter, Iva, with her good friend Ruth Allison, at Percival Creek.…
March 12, 2023
Nathaniel Crosby – 3/5/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Crosby Boulevard in Tumwater is named for the Crosby family. The Crosbys were early American settlers, arriving in Tumwater in 1851. Pictured here, third from left, is Nathaniel Crosby III, Tumwater merchant. The Crosby House in Tumwater, now a museum, was originally built by…
March 5, 2023