Archives West Finding Aid

Several notable figures who were involved with the development of Olympia are found in these bound volumes including Hazard Stevens (1842-1918), the son of Isaac Stevens (1818-1862). Isaac Stevens became the first Governor of Washington Territory and served as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. He served as General for the same regiment Hazard was in during the Civil War. After the war, Hazard moved back to Washington Territory. Mary L. Page, also found in the ledgers, was an architect who was the first woman to graduate from the University of Illinois in 1878 with an architecture degree. Other notable figures include F.G. Blake and James McAllister.

The site of Olympia has been home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass for thousands of years. Other Native American tribes regularly visited the area including the Squaxin (of whom the Steh-Chass later became part of post-treaty), Nisqually, Puyallup, Chehalis, Suquamish, and Duwamish for shellfish gathering and trading. The natives called the peninsula "Cheet-woot" for "the black bear place."

Isaac Stevens was the first Governor of Washington Territory, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and head of the transcontinental railroad survey. Arriving in 1853, he declared the town as territorial capital. Stevens compelled Native American tribes through intimidation and by force to sign treaties that ceded most of their lands and rights to Stevens' government. These included the Treaty of Medicine Creek, Treaty of Hellgate, Treaty of Neah Bay, Treaty of Point Elliott, Point No Point Treaty, and Quinault Treaty. Olympia was incorporated as a city on January 29, 1859. Washington became a state in 1889 and Olympia continued as the state's capital city. With statehood, the city grew and added amenities such as an opera house, city water system, street car line, street lamps, a new hotel to accommodate visiting legislators. By the twentieth century, sawmilling, fruit canning, and other industrial concerns comprised its economic base. Olympia also served as a shipping port for materials produced from the surrounding countryside, including sandstone, coal, and agricultural products.

Source: HistoryLink, City of Olympia website