Westbrook House – demolished

Location: 820 5th Ave SW
Wohleb; Popular culture

Westbrook House 1966, Thurston County Assessor, Southwest Regional Archives

Westbrook House today (2015), photograph by Deb Ross

This distinguished English revival style home was built by architect Virgil Westbrook in 1923 to serve as his own residence. Westbrook was associated with the Wohleb firm and designed other distinguished homes here and elsewhere, including the listed Dohm House across the street. The home featured several whimsical details, such as portholes designed to look like captain’s quarters on a ship. The home was owned for many years by the Barner family. George Barner was a distinguished citizen in his own right, having served in the capacity of Thurston County’s County and Port Commissioner; he was also a well-known musician, a member of various local rock bands in the 1960s. The home burned in 2016.

Olympia Heritage inventory

Urban Hicks – 6/4/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Hicks Lake in Lacey is named for the Hicks family. Urban E. Hicks arrived in Thurston County in the 1850s. He served as Territorial Auditor, librarian, schoolteacher, and publisher. His son, Gallatin Gwin Hicks, established a resort, Gwinwood, on Hicks Lake, that still exists.…
June 4, 2023
End of Oregon Trail – 5/28/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Old Oregon Trail Road descends from near the south end of Water Street to the waterfront below I-5. Before I-5 was built, this road was called View Place. The name was changed in 1983 to recognize that this road was part of the northern…
May 28, 2023
Colonel Speed Sapp – 5/21/23
Throughout 2023 we’ll be exploring the origins of area place names. Sapp Road in Tumwater was named for the Sapp family, who settled in Thurston County in the late 1800s. Looking Back recently ran a photograph of Bernice Sapp, a prominent suffragist. Shown here is her brother, Colonel Speed Sapp. Confusingly, Colonel was his first…
May 21, 2023