Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Tilley Road in south Thurston County is named for the Tilley family, early settlers. Abram Tilley operated a hotel near Tenino. His son, Moses Rice Tilley, operated a livery stable at the corner of State and Capitol (then Third and Main). Pictured here is Moses and Sarah Hodgdon Tilley’s daughter, Maybelle. She was a celebrated international beauty, and married twice, the second time to Greek Count Stavra, hence her married title Countess Stavra. She died a millionaire.
George Bain photo, Library of Congress collection, undated