This photograph of the jovial proprietors of the Star Laundry is one of a series, by photographer Robert Esterly, of local businesspeople. Located on Capitol Way in the bustling Port area, Star Laundry catered to the needs of itinerant sailors and merchants. It existed until the 1960s, eventually growing to take up the large masonry building at 301 Capitol Way North that has since been the home to a number of businesses. Photograph selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum. More information is available at olympiahistory.org.
Esterly Photograph, 1914, State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog 2010.149.27.1
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian