Old Capitol Building (Olympia, Washington)

The Old Capitol Building (originally known as the State Capitol Building) is a historic building in downtown Olympia, Washington. It was built in 1892 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. It is currently occupied by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.^[2]

Old Capitol Building
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Location	600 Washington Street SE, Olympia, Washington
Coordinates	47°2′34.51″N 122°53′58.4″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1892
Architect	Willis Ritchie
Architectural style	Richardsonian Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	75001877[1]
Added to NRHP	May 30, 1975

History

On December 12, 1890, architect Willis A. Ritchie was selected to develop the new seat of government. Construction began on May 15, 1891 and completed on October 12, 1892, when it was formally accepted as the Thurston County courthouse.^[3]

The State Capitol Building was dedicated on January 11, 1905, at Governor Albert Mead's inauguration, and served 1928 as the State Capitol, seat of the legislature of Washington, until 1928.^[3]

In 1928, the legislature moved to the current Capitol Building.

Disasters

The building has survived several disasters, after each of which it has been repaired.

1928 fire

On Saturday, September 8, 1928, a fire ignited, severely damaging the timber roof framing on the main section of the building, including the loss of a 150 feet (46 m) tall central tower.^[4] Additionally, water from fire fighting efforts damaged the building's interior.^[2][3]

Dense smoke was detected at 3:35 p.m. at the base of the tower and roof eaves; all available firefighters in Olympia responded to the emergency. After 20 minutes, Tacoma Fire Department was dispatched to assist, making a 32 miles (51 km) trip across the Pacific Highway to arrive 35 minutes later. The fire was completely put out by 5:30 p.m.,^[4] and witnessed by approximately 6,500 people from the surrounding streets.^[5]

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  1928 fire
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  1928 fire
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  1928 fire damage

1949 eartquake

After the 1949 Olympia earthquake, the building was evacuated and suffered severe damage to its masonry exterior that had to be repaired over the following few months at a cost of $1.1 million.^[6][7] 10 of the 12 towers were lost in the earthquake, along with a rotunda, the House chamber, and several galleries in the East Wing.^[8]

Historic photographs gallery

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  Postcard of night view, circa 1904-1905.
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  1907 postcard by The Puget Sound News Company.
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  View from Sylvester Park, circa 1907.
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  View from Sylvester Park, circa 1904-1918.
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  March 1909 issue of Coast Magazine featured the Capitol.
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  View from Sylvester Park, circa 1895-1928.
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  Yakama Indians on the front steps with Kate Stevens Bates (daughter of Isaac Stevens), circa 1921.

See also

• Sylvester Park
• History of Olympia, Washington
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Thurston County, Washington