Location: 212 4th Ave W
National Downtown Historic District; Diversity: Gay and Lesbian History
Cafe Intermezzo, 1970s, Carole Street LaFond website |
Olympia News Office building today (2012), photo by Deb Ross |
The blocks extending down Fourth Avenue west of Capitol Way have always been the home to small but important commercial enterprises. The building currently here was erected in 1952 and housed the Olympia News Office. According to the Carolyn Street LaFond website, it at one time housed the Thurston County Republican Headquarters, but took a decided turn to the left when LaFond rehabilitated the building and created Cafe Intermezzo, allegedly the first cafe to serve espresso between Seattle and Portland. The building is on the Gay and Lesbian Walking Tour. It is located in the National Downtown Historic District and listed as an historic contributing building.
Additional resources:
National Downtown Historic District
Olympia’s Gay and Lesbian History Walking Tour, posted by Hypatia in the Woods
Copyright © 2022 Deborah Ross