The Sites of Olympia, WA

Sunday, June 16, 2017

We arrived at our campground

in the Olympia area on Thursday, June 13 and have not ventured out much to sightsee.  Why?  Traffic, traffic, traffic.  On Friday, we go out to a local Walmart and never get any further.  The freeway into Olympia has heavy traffic and the return toward Seattle is completely stopped due to a fatal accident up the road a ways.  We take side roads to return to our RV. 

Today being Sunday, we decide that since folks will not be working today and weekend vacationers will be returning home, it will be a good day to take in Olympia.  We are glad we did.

Our first stop is at the beautiful Capitol Building in what they call the State Capitol Campus which encompasses the Capitol Building,

Capitol Front

Capitol back

 the Temple of Justice, the Insurance Building,

Insurance Building

Temple of Justice

 numerous other Legislative Buildings, landscape, a number of war memorials, the Winged Victory Monument,

 the Governor’s Mansion, the Visitor Center and a number of old trees.  Beautiful grounds and very quiet today since no one is working except those giving tours of the Capitol. 

We park in the Visitor Parking lot then walk around the grounds taking pictures of many of the buildings and entering the Capitol on the north side. 

The Capitol Building was completed in 1928 and has many unique features as explained by our very informative tour guide.  There are 42 steps leading to the entrance to the building which represent the fact that Washington was the 42 state in the Union.  The bronze relief doors into the building depict various scenes in Washington.  There are six in all, each different. 
  

Entering the lobby you notice the beautiful marble walls and the chandeliers.  The lobby chandeliers look similar to an old phone booth and our tour guide informs us that the maintenance man can stand inside them to replace the light bulbs.  All the chandeliers in the building are Tiffany. 

Walking up one level from the lobby, you are attracted to the state seal medallion in the center of the floor which includes the face of George Washington in the center.  A rope circles the medallion to keep people from walking over it.  

Overhead is the beautiful Tiffany chandelier weighing 10,000 pounds and having over 200 bulbs.  Gorgeous.  Four side balconies surround the center dome area each with a lamp similar to a Greek lamp with each of Washington’s counties flags next to them. 

On the third floor we find this lovely statue of George Washington and are given access to the Reception Room where we find teak wood floors, marble columns , a fireplace at each end and beautiful draperies with hand sewn medallions (made with gold thread) at the top.  This room is used for receptions, signing documents and often formal dancing.  No food or drink is ever permitted in the room. 

Upon returning to our car we discover a lovely old neighborhood of what I believe are mostly Craftsman style homes, some larger than others and all probably done around the same time period. 

Venturing further into downtown Olympia we pass the Old Capitol Building which has been the home of the Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1906.  Originally built as the Thurston County Courthouse, it was opened in 1892.   In 1901 it was purchased for use as the State Capitol with an additional wing added for the Legislature and dedicated for this use in 1905.  The Legislature met there until the new building was completed in 1928.  At one time there were 12 towers but the earthquake of 1949 demolished all but the two remaining. 

A unique feature of the original building was the wrought iron elevator that not only carried passengers but also a small “snack bar” as well.  Interesting!  Wonder what they had for snacks?  We were not able to enter the building since it is Sunday. 

Across the street in Sylvester Park is a statue of Gov. John Rogers who authored a book called “Barefoot School Boy Law” that “gives every poor son of this commonwealth a fair education.” 

We travel further into downtown and head to the waterfront where we find the local Farmers Market selling plants, produce and fruit, craft items, street musicians and several food booths where we stop to have a huckleberry ice cream cone and one of Marion berry ( hybrid blackberry and about twice the size) which we had never tasted before.  Delicious. 

We continue to the marina in the Budd Inlet East Bay where we find a large business selling  logs, dry docks, boats in their slips and a view to the north of the waterways.  What a beautiful view and comfortable temperature day to be on the water. 

We return to our campground via a stop in the small town of Yelm where we stop at a quilt shop I was told about.  It houses 18,000 bolts of fabric.  Fabulous.  I purchase my state fabric license plate for Washington and some fabric for a wall hanging I am working on. 

A wonderful day of sightseeing.