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Olympia,
Washington , the seventeen square mile capital city of
Washington
state since 1853, has all the pomp and pageantry due to a
state capital. Monuments, marble halls and the spectacular
capitol grounds surround the dome of the capitol building. The
rugged Olympic
Mountains rise in the distance across the waters of the
South Puget
Sound, building Olympia’s ranking as one of America's
loveliest cities.
The city of Olympia is built on land that was home to Lushootseed-speaking
Native
American people for thousands of years. The abundant
shellfish in the tidal flats and the many salmon-spawning
streams entering Puget Sound at this location made it a
productive food-gathering area. Many Native American tribes
shared access to these resources, including Squaxin,
Nisqually,
Puyallup,
Chehalis,
Suquamish,
and Duwamish.
In the 1830’s the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading
post at nearby Sequalitchew
Creek. American settlers came to the area in the 1840’s,
drawn by the waterpower potential of Tumwater
Falls and the established nearby "New Market"
settlement, now known as Tumwater, the first American
settlement north of the Columbia River. Edmund
Sylvester and Levi Smith jointly claimed the land that now
comprises downtown Olympia.
In 1873, the Northern
Pacific Railroad bypassed Olympia, choosing Tacoma
as its west coast terminus. Rattled at being slighted, Olympia
residents set to work building their own spur connector to the
main line at Tenino. It was completed in 1878 and served as
Olympia's only rail connection until 1891. Aside from its role
as the state capital, Olympia, Washington was a fairly typical
Pacific Northwest town. Early on, extraction
industries such as logging
and oyster
harvesting were the basis for much of the economy. By the
twentieth century, saw-milling, fruit canning, and other
industrial concerns added to its economic base. Olympia, WA
also served as a shipping center for materials produced from
the surrounding countryside, including sandstone, coal, and
agricultural products.
Olympia, WA, the largest city in Thurston
County with a population of 42,514 as reported by the U.S.
Census Bureau 2000 report, joins neighboring cities of Lacey,
Tumwater
and other jurisdictions to make up a total county population
of 204,300. Population estimated for 2003 is 43,963 (an
increase of 3.4%). A minor increase when compared to the 25.1%
increase in population in the previous decade from 1990 to
2000. Median household income for the 1999 statistical
reporting period was $40,846, while per capita money income
was $22,590.
Olympia, Washington is a great place to enjoy regional art
and culture. Many of the county’s artists, musicians, and
talented performers showcase their craft here. Harlequin
Productions, located in the historic State
Theater Building, continues to bring audiences to their
feet for their remarkable productions. Musical theater
performers show their talents in productions at the Capital
Playhouse. The Playhouse has a special emphasis on
encouraging up-and-coming performers. The Washington
Center for the Performing Arts has brought some of the
world’s finest artists to perform for Olympia audiences for
over twenty years. The Center highlights an incredible array
of talent, from award-winning ballet companies to best-selling
legends of the music world. You’ll also find the Olympia
Symphony Orchestra regularly performing at the Washington
Center. From the classical to the quaint, art comes alive in
Olympia.
The Olympia
School District, one of the oldest districts in the state
of Washington, was founded in 1852, nearly forty years before
statehood. Since its beginning, Olympia, WA has been
recognized for quality education. Alternative programs,
established to address a variety of learning styles and needs,
are available to students from kindergarten through high
school. The school curriculum is articulated, pre-school
through graduation, and is research-based and aligned to
district, state and national standards. This curriculum is
supported with appropriate resources, staffing, materials and
assessments. The district employs 1,336 classified and
certificated staff to provide a world class education in 18
schools. Nearly 75% of their certificated staff has a
master’s degree.
Olympia, Washington has two colleges within its city
limits. Evergreen
State College is one of six four-year colleges in
Washington state. They offer degrees such as Bachelors of Arts
in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Bachelors of Science in Liberal
Arts and Sciences, Master of Environmental Studies, Master in
Teaching and Master in Public Administration. Major college
guidebooks have spotlighted the strong academics and
affordability of The Evergreen State College. The 2005
Princeton Review specifically noted Evergreen as the “Best
in the West,” and a “Best Value College.” U.S. News and
World Report’s 2005 edition lists Evergreen as #15 of 20 for
students graduating with the least amount of debt, and one of
the 26-best schools in the nation for “learning
communities.”
South
Puget Sound Community College is a public, two-year
college in Olympia, Washington. The Northwest Commission on
Colleges and Universities accredits the college. They offer
college transfer, technical and enrichment courses.
Olympia, Washington is a modern city progressing steadily into
the 21 st century while still being in the middle of what’s
left of the American
Northwest wilderness. While there are numerous outdoor and
wilderness activities in the area, people migrate to and live
in Olympia for the commerce and economy rather than as a
resort and relaxation destination.
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