Wynstra, Mabel and Theodore House

Location: 709 Percival St SW
Local register

Thurston County assessor photograph, 1939, courtesy Washington State Archives

Wynstra House today (2023), courtesy the owners

The Mabel and Theodore R. Wynstra House was constructed in 1938 by their brothers-in-law, Wayne
C. and Mervin Garrard, and owners of Garrard Bros., a popular home builder in the Olympia are
throughout the 1930s through the 1960s. It is one of the few remaining WWII era
cottage style houses on Olympia’s west side. Theodore Roosevelt Wynstra was part of a group of Olympia educators fondly referred to as the “Founding Fathers”, whose ranks included long time school board member Ester Knox, long time, superintendent of schools LP Brown, educator and state representative Clayton Farrington, and
Garfield School Principal Ernest Suko. The home was placed on the local heritage register in 2024.

Olympia Heritage Register Application

Legislative Building repair – William Conser – 6/8/25
Looking Back’s theme for 2025 features Thurston County area photographers, artists, and their subjects. William B. Conser was a photographer for the Olympian who captured many events and people, including an historic series that documented the destruction caused by the 1949 earthquake. Shown here is the elaborate scaffolding and tramway erected to repair the lantern…
June 8, 2025
William Conser – 6/1/25
Looking Back’s theme for 2025 features Thurston County area photographers, artists, and their subjects. The 1935 Olympia High School yearbook notes that William P. Conser, pictured here, was involved with journalism as early as high school. He became a photographer for the Olympian and captured many events and people, including an historic series that documented…
June 1, 2025
State Patrol by Merle Junk – 5/25/25
Looking Back’s theme for 2025 features Thurston County area photographers, artists, and their subjects. Merle Junk, a product of the Olympia school system, turned to photography early in his life. He was prolific and well-respected. He captured images of legislators, local events, and places, often for promotional purposes. This image from 1950, possibly a promotional…
May 25, 2025