Olympia, Washington
Olympia, Washington is a city that serves as the capital of the state of Washington, located in the United States. It is situated in Thurston County at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet, where the Deschutes River estuary enters the sound. The river was dammed in 1951 to create Capitol Lake; however, in late 2022, the state government approved the removal of the dam to restore the estuary.
History
The area that is now Olympia was explored by Peter Puget and a crew from the British Vancouver Expedition in the 18th century. However, there were no recorded encounters with the Indigenous population at the time. In 1846, Edmund Sylvester and Levi Lathrop Smith claimed the land that became downtown Olympia. The area was officially named "Olympia" in 1850, a name chosen for its view of the Olympic Mountains to the northwest, suggested by Colonel Isaac N. Ebey.
Olympia's importance grew when the U.S. Congress established the Customs District of Puget Sound in 1851, making Olympia the home of the customs house. By 1853, Olympia was declared the capital of the Washington Territories by Governor Isaac I., leading to its incorporation as a town on January 28, 1859.
The Treaty of Medicine Creek in 1854 and the subsequent Treaty of Olympia in 1856 resulted in the forced relocation of the Squaxin Island Tribe to an Indian reservation, marking a significant and controversial moment in Olympia's history.
Geography
Olympia is located approximately 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Seattle and 100 miles (160 km) north of Portland, Oregon. Its coastal location in the Pacific Northwest provides stunning views and a temperate climate. The city's geography has played a significant role in its development and continues to influence its cultural and economic dynamics.
Culture
Olympia has a vibrant cultural scene, highlighted by the activities of the Olympia Film Society (OFS), which produces an annual film festival and supports film and video education. The art-deco Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia is a hub for independent, classic, and international films year-round. The theater also hosts events like "All Freakin' Night," an all-night horror film screening with a cult following.
The establishment of The Evergreen State College on Cooper Point Road in the late 1960s ushered in a new era for Olympia, changing and enlivening the capital city's cultural and social climate. The college's influence can be seen in the diverse and progressive nature of the community.
Government and Development
The seat of government in Olympia experienced rapid growth after World War II, and despite some state offices moving elsewhere, a Washington State Supreme Court decision in 1954 reaffirmed Olympia as the seat of government. This decision ensured that state office headquarters remained in the city.
In 1994, the Olympia City Council adopted the city's first Comprehensive Plan under the new Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), guiding the city's development into the future.