The Pacific House was one of the earliest hotel/restaurants in Olympia, at the corner of what is now State Avenue and Capitol Way. In 1859, African-American Rebecca Groundage Howard took over its management and soon became famous all over the northwest for her hospitality and good food. In this photo from 1902, the building is in decline.
William Romans photograph, 1902, courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C2015.0.88
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2017