Washington State Capitol

The Washington State Capitol in Olympia is one of the most striking and monumental government buildings in the northwestern United States, standing as both the state’s political center and an architectural symbol of Washington’s identity. The current main building, officially called the Legislative Building, is the result of an extensive planning process that began in the early 1900s, as the state grew rapidly and the older government buildings could no longer accommodate the need for larger offices, more staff, and a more representative legislative building.

In 1911, the state announced a national architectural competition to create a new, unified capitol complex, and young New York architects Walter R. Wilder and Harry K. White won the contract with an ambitious neoclassical design inspired by Greco-Roman monumental architecture. Construction began in early 1922, using materials primarily consisting of sandstone and granite, giving the building its characteristic light gray tone and the enormous structural stability that would later prove crucial during earthquakes.

From the beginning, the Capitol was intended to be built with authority, symmetry, and a monumental presence, and this is evident in the wide staircase with 42 steps leading up to the main entrance. They form a symbolic number for Washington’s status as the 42nd state of the United States. Above the entrance, 26 massive Corinthian columns rise, each carved from a single block of stone, and support the façade’s lintels and the impressive dome, which rises 288 feet (87 meters) above the ground. The dome is one of the tallest masonry domes in the world and the tallest of its type on any state capitol in the United States. Its construction required thousands of stones, which had to be adjusted by hand to form the precise curve and withstand both the weight and pressure of wind and precipitation. When the dome structure itself was completed in 1926, it was a technical breakthrough for its time. The final work on the interior, installations and decorations took the following two years before the entire building finally opened in 1928.

Inside, the Capitol is at least as impressive as outside. The central rotunda rises under the dome and forms a magnificent space of marble in various shades sourced from both the United States and Europe. The ceiling is dominated by a huge chandelier made by Tiffany Studios, and the walls are decorated with bronze works depicting symbols from the founding of the state, historical motifs and classical ornaments. Inside, there are also long corridors, high ceilings, grand staircases and many rooms designed with exquisite craftsmanship, such as the governor’s office, meeting rooms and, not least, the two legislative chambers, where the Senate and the House of Representatives meet.

Although the Capitol was built before modern earthquake safety requirements, the building has proven extremely resilient, surviving several major earthquakes, including those in 1949, 1965, and 2001. Each event saw extensive restoration and structural improvements. One of the most significant restoration projects took place in the early 2000s and included seismic upgrades, replacement of utilities, and a complete restoration of the interior, where craftsmen cleaned marble floors, repaired stucco and wood paneling, and recreated original colors and details.

Old Capitol Building

The Old Capitol Building is a charming and historic structure in the heart of downtown Olympia. The building dates back to the 1890s, when the original building was built as the Thurston County Courthouse to designs by architect Willis A. Ritchie. The cornerstone was laid in 1891, and in October 1892 the building was completed and opened for use as a courthouse and administrative offices. The original structure included a distinctive clock tower, which was an eye-catching landmark with clock faces on all sides and a rustic, rugged architecture in the style of the time.

When Washington State needed a Capitol building for its legislature and state agencies, the building was purchased in the early 1900s and converted for this purpose. The contractor reused much of the original structure and added a larger east wing with chambers for the state Senate, House of Representatives, and various offices. The expanded building was dedicated as the capitol on January 11, 1905, in connection with the inauguration of the governor. For a time, the Old Capitol served as the home of state government and the legislature.

However, the need for more space gradually became apparent. In 1911, a national architectural competition was held to create a new and unified capitol complex, and in the 1920s, it was decided to build an entirely new Capitol, which led to the legislature and government moving to the current Washington State Capitol in 1928. The Old Capitol Building thus lost its role as the state capitol, but retained its importance as a historic building and as an office building for state institutions.

Over the years, the Old Capitol Building has experienced major changes: in 1928, a massive fire destroyed the clock tower and large parts of the roof. The roof was subsequently reconstructed with simpler lines, but the clock tower was not rebuilt. In the early 1980s, it underwent a major renovation, upgrading the structure, modernizing the installations, and restoring the facade, so that today it appears in good condition and continues to be used as an office building by state authorities.

Olympia Downtown Historic District

The Olympia Downtown Historic District encompasses a central part of downtown Olympia. It is a district that contains buildings and streets of great historical and architectural value. The area covers about 17 blocks of downtown and contains over 50 buildings, all of which contribute to the character of the neighborhood. Many of the buildings date from the 1850s to the late 19th century, but the vast majority were built in the period from about 1910 to 1930. It was a time when Olympia was developing strongly as a state capital with a growing downtown. The architecture spans many of the styles of the period.

When you walk through the streets of the historic center, you encounter a diverse urban environment with everything from old theaters, former hotels, classic store and commercial buildings to public institutions that clearly bear the mark of the architectural trends of the time. The variation in the buildings’ height, facade design and function gives a sense of the layers of time, where you can see how Olympia grew from a small town to a capital with ambitions, trade, administration and cultural life.

The Olympia Downtown Historic District brings together the city’s oldest and most central streets, where early trade and urban life developed. Capitol Way forms the main axis through the area, while Fourth Avenue and Fifth Avenue cross the street as the classic commercial streets with many historic buildings. In addition, Washington Street, Columbia Street, Water Street and Franklin Street, which together form the compact street network, where most of the neighborhood’s buildings worthy of preservation are located. The area today appears as a dense and recognizable historical core, where Olympia’s history is reflected when you take a stroll through the urban environment.

Capitol Theater

The Capitol Theater was built in 1924 as a magnificent cinema with a large capacity and the ambition to bring entertainment to Olympia. The architect was Joseph Wohleb, who designed the building in a style that combined neo-colonial style with Beaux-Arts on the exterior with interior elements that accommodated a classic theater and cinema experience. The facade was decorated with glazed terracotta, decorations and large arched sections with leaded windows. Five tall, narrow windows above the entrance represented the five Muses, music, painting, sculpture, architecture and poetry, giving the place an artistic and classical feel.

Inside, the Capitol Theater housed a large hall with a stage, seating for the audience, a balcony, an orchestra pit under the stage and the amenities associated with theater and cinema in the first half of the 20th century. When it opened in October 1924, it was a modern entertainment venue for films, vaudeville and the performing arts, and the Capitol Theater quickly became a central gathering place for the citizens of the city.

Throughout the decades, the theater has seen both greatness and decline. In the mid-1900s, many movie theaters changed character and audience tastes changed, but the Capitol survived. In 1986, the Olympia Film Society took over the theater as a tenant, and in 2010 they finally bought it. Under their ownership, the Capitol Theater has been revived as a vibrant cultural center, presenting films, concerts, theater and other events, and great emphasis is placed on preserving and maintaining the historic interior and the old auditorium.

Hotel Olympian

The Hotel Olympian is a hotel that was built during a period when Olympia needed more modern accommodations close to government institutions, and construction began in the late 1910s. Construction was completed in 1919, and the hotel officially opened on July 16, 1920. It was designed by the Chicago-based architectural firm H. L. Stevens Company, which specialized in elegant and functional hotel buildings throughout the country. The five-story building was constructed in a subdued neo-Georgian style, with red brick, classical proportions, and a simple, symmetrical facade that signaled modern comfort.

When it opened, the Hotel Olympian contained 155 rooms, about half of which had private bathrooms, a major modern plus in the early 1920s. The hotel also included a spacious lobby, meeting rooms, and a dining room that was used for both social and political events. The location was ideal, with it being located directly across from the then Capitol building and only steps from the state’s administrative district. This meant that the hotel quickly became a natural meeting place for politicians, officials, business people and travelers who came to Olympia to attend legislative work, meetings or conferences.

In the following decades, the Hotel Olympian became a center for both formal and informal meetings in the state capital. The lobby and dining areas were used extensively during legislative sessions, and the hotel evolved into a social gathering place where deals were made and the rhythm of the city could be felt up close. The hotel became a symbol of Olympia as a modern capital, and it was one of the most prestigious hotels in the city in its heyday. In 1975, the Hotel Olympian underwent a significant transformation when the building was converted into senior citizen housing, while the ground floor was converted into retail and small commercial premises. Although the building changed functions, much of the original exterior architecture was preserved.

Percival Landing Park

Percival Landing Park is beautifully located on the waterfront in downtown Olympia, facing Budd Inlet, and serves as the city’s maritime breathing space, combining a harbor, promenade, recreation, and public space where nature, the city, and water meet. The park originated from a former area that was once a commercial wharf operated by an early businessman. In the mid-1970s, the area began to be transformed with the aim of providing public access to the water, and thus Percival Landing Park was established in three phases, first opening around 1977, followed by expansions in the mid- and late 1980s. Since then, the area with its boardwalk, boat ramps, lawns, and access to the bay has been a popular destination for residents and visitors.

When you walk along the approximately 1,500-meter-long boardwalk along the water, you feel the rhythm of the water and can enjoy the view of the bay with the horizon, the fjord, and the sky. There are benches, picnic areas, a children’s playground, and public artwork. In the evening, when the sun sets over the bay, the panorama becomes a quiet and beautiful scene with reflections in the water. For those who love maritime surroundings, the park provides an atmosphere of calm, openness and contact with nature in the middle of the center of Olympia.

Bigelow House Museum

The Bigelow House was built in 1854 by pioneer Daniel R. Bigelow and his wife as their home. It is a single-story house designed in the Carpenter Gothic style, a style common among early settlers in the Northwest. They built their homes out of wood with Gothic details. The house is one of the oldest surviving residential homes in Olympia, and perhaps even in the entire region, making it a rare surviving representative of the city’s earliest settlement period.

The Bigelow family lived in the house for generations. It was home to several children, and the family was active in local political and social development, with involvement in early public institutions, education, community development, and civil rights. This makes the house more than just a residence. It also stands as a testament to the pioneer era, to the lives and decisions of the people who shaped early Olympia.

In the 1990s, the house was rescued from decay and restored with respect for its original condition, including the interior, furnishings, room layout, and historical details. In 1995, it opened as a museum under the name Bigelow House Museum, and today it serves as a living history museum with guided tours, exhibits of original furnishings, documents, and artifacts from the pioneer era, giving visitors an authentic insight into life in mid-19th-century Olympia.

Squaxin Park

Formerly known as Priest Point Park, Squaxin Park is a large public park and one of Olympia’s most diverse green spaces. With woods, shoreline, trails, beach, and green space, the park offers a wide range of nature and outdoor experiences. You can walk along forest trails, sit by the water, walk along the shore, watch the tides, spot birds, or simply sit and enjoy the view of the bay. The area also offers amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and areas for relaxing or playing.

The park’s location on the water in Budd Inlet makes you feel close to the sea, nature and open landscape; especially when the tide changes and the colors of the sky and water change with the light. In addition, the park provides a historical dimension. The area has a background as a landscape that, before the city grew, was closely connected to indigenous people and nature. As a modern park, it functions as both a nature reserve and an urban park.

Grass Lake Nature Park

Grass Lake Nature Park is a wonderful example of nature close to the city. It is a relatively large wetland and nature reserve that offers the opportunity for relaxation, nature experiences and tranquility without leaving the urban area. The park includes several lakes and wetlands, where reeds, marsh grass and plant life meet water and wildlife. Here you can often experience birds, see wildlife and just enjoy the sounds and atmosphere of nature around the water.

There is a path and boardwalk that lead visitors through the landscape. It is a pleasant and peaceful walk, where you can take it easy, hear the gurgling water, look at plants and maybe see some wild animals or birds. In recent years, the trail system has been expanded, making it both practical and accessible, and it invites both short walks and longer nature trips.