LB 1900s – Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum

Bernice Sapp the National American Woman Suffrage Convention in 1909.

December 18, 2022

Washington State and Olympia were in the forefront of the push for female suffrage in our state and nationally. Pictured here is prominent Olympian Bernice Sapp, while she was attending the National American Woman Suffrage Convention in 1909. Held in Seattle simultaneously with the Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition, it was a major event in the campaign for successful ratification of permanent voting rights for most Washington women in 1910, ten years before the national 19^th amendment.

1909 photograph, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1961.18.29

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

Motorcycle Officer Koepke in 1912

November 20, 2022

Fred Koepke was appointed Olympia’s motorcycle police officer in 1912. He was chosen in part for his familiarity with motorcycles and their repair. He’s pictured here in front of the Masonic Hall on Main Street (Capitol Way). His motorcycle was a Yale 7 HP (horsepower)

Photograph taken around 1912, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society catalog C1961.498.22

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

Sons of Veterans in late 1800s

October 30, 2022

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization of Union veterans of the American Civil War. Later, their offspring formed the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. The GAR and Sons of Veterans headquarters in Olympia was the former Central School building, then located at 200 Union Avenue (the building is now moved to the corner of Union and Adams). In this photo, uniformed Sons of Veterans members pose in front of the building.

undated photo, likely 1880-1900, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1959.267x.10

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

Franklin and Ann Farrington Kennedy around 1900

October 23, 2022

This painting of Kamilche, Washington settlers Franklin Kennedy and his wife Ann Farrington Kennedy is based on a photograph that was taken of members of the extended Kennedy and Simmons families. The Kennedys were early settlers in Mason County: Kennedy Creek is named for the family.

Painting based on a photograph from around 1900, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1958.187x.1, based on this photograph, State Archives image AR-28001001-ph001145

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

Old State Capitol Annex groundbreaking 1902

October 16, 2022

In 1901, Washington State purchased the Thurston County Courthouse, adjacent to Sylvester Park, to serve as the state’s Legislative Building. An annex to the original building was built to accommodate state government functions. This photograph from around 1902 shows the groundbreaking for the annex. Governor John R. Rogers is in front, wielding a ceremonial shovel. The building is now the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Photo 1902, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1958.181x.1.

Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2022

The Prices with their automobiles about 1907

September 11, 2022

The extended family of Benjamin and Agnes Mitchel Price poses proudly with their two automobiles, an REO or Red Wing, and a Winton Six, in this photo from about 1907. The building behind them was originally the Farquhar store, but then used as an annex to the Old State Capitol Building and dubbed The Lobby. The Prices were among the first automobile owners in Olympia. The photograph was taken by Agnes Mitchel Price’s sister, Ida B. Smith. Agnes and Ida were both professional photographers.

Ida B. Smith photo, about 1907, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1951.284.3

Queen Ruth with her court in 1902

August 28, 2022

In August 1902, the Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization, held a carnival in Olympia. They sponsored a contest to name the Queen of the Carnival. Ruth Allison edged out Iva Van Epps for the honor. Here is Queen Ruth with her court, taken during the four-day event. This photo by Ida B. Smith was honored at the Northwest Photographers’ convention later that year.

Ida B. Smith photo, August 1902, Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1950.3.43

Jacob, Earl, and Mollie Bean around 1907

July 10, 2022

Jacob Bean immigrated to Olympia from Russia in 1902, bringing with him his family’s Torah (first five books of the Hebrew Bible). He and his wife Mollie owned the business now known as Olympia Supply, still in existence in downtown Olympia. Jacob, Mollie, and their son Earl are pictured here around 1907. The Bean family’s involvement with the business spans three generations.

Courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1950.1326.1

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