Throughout 2023 the Sunday Olympian’s Looking Back theme was origins of area place names. Watershed Park is named for the abundant water resources at the location in southeast Olympia. The natural springs here form the headwaters of Moxie Creek. For many years Olympia took most of its municipal water supply from here. This painting by artist Edward Lange shows its pumping station. Remnants still exist in the park. The watershed was permanently preserved as a park in 1955.
Edward Lange painting, courtesy City of Olympia
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2023