The Sunday Olympian’s Looking Back theme for 2024 was Many Voices, celebrating our diverse and rich history. Pictured here is Sun Wo, a businessman born in China who operated a “general merchandise” store on Third Avenue (now State Avenue). Chinese immigrants contributed to Olympia’s development throughout the latter part of the 19th century up to their present day descendants and later immigrants.
Ida B. Smith photo, undated, courtesy State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society, catalog C1948.64.77
Text © Deborah Ross and The Olympian 2024