LB 1870s – Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum

Edmund Sylvester around 1870

January 1, 2023

In 2023 the Sunday Olympian’s theme for its Looking Back feature was the origins of area place names. Sylvester Park is named for Olympia’s founder Edmund Sylvester. Born in Maine, he arrived here in 1846, along with his business partner Levi Smith. When Smith drowned in an accident, Sylvester inherited Smith’s claim to what is now the core of Olympia. He platted out the city and included a New England-inspired “town common” that was later re-named for its founder. Photograph selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, olympiahistory.org.

Washington State Archives, State Library Photograph collection, image AR-07809001-ph004434

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2023

Tilley Livery Stable 1870s

December 11, 2022

For many years the northwest corner of Third Avenue and Main Street (now State and Capitol) was occupied by a livery–a combination public stable, stagecoach, and carriage rental business. The first proprietor was Moses Rice Tilley, whose father Abram operated an early inn and stagecoach stop on the route between Olympia and Longview. The business operated under different owners until 1912, when the Old City Hall and Fire Station building (currently vacant) was erected here.

Susan Parish collection, Washington State Archives, probably around 1870s

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

Columbia Hotel in 1870s

November 27, 2022

The Columbia Hotel was built in the mid 1800s by early Olympia settler John Clark, at what is now 114 Columbia St. NW. At the time, it was on waterfront and popular with politicians, lobbyists, and travelers. The hotel was acquired by George Carlton and renamed the Carlton Hotel; later rebuilt and enlarged. The hotel lasted until at least 1940, though its status declined due to its proximity to the deteriorating Tenderloin District north of State.

Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1959.1127.13

Nancy Smith and Mandana Smith Bush

November 6, 2022

Pictured here are Nancy Scott Hunt Smith and her daughter, Mandana Smith Kimsey Bush. Mandana was a widow in Oregon when she married Tumwater resident William Owen Bush, son of settlers George and Isabella James Bush. W.O. Bush was a noted agriculturist and was Washington’s first mixed-race legislator.

Undated photograph, probably 1870s, Washington State Archives, State Library Photograph collection, image AR-07809001-ph004411