The City of Tumwater is retiring its logo after 40 years. Check out the new one here
The City of Tumwater hasn’t updated its branding since the 1980s. Its logo, in black and white with some shades of brown, features a pioneering family standing over Tumwater Falls.
On Feb. 21, the City Council adopted a new logo that still features the water plus the iconic old brewery in a clean new design, city spokesperson Ann Cook said.
“The simplified rendering of the brew tower you see is a nod to the architecture of the area, the history of our city’s economic growth around the river and our commitment to historic preservation of structures,” Cook said.
The City Council met Feb. 14 to discuss the artwork before it was put on their consent calendar. Cook said the graphic designer the city hired for the job was fairly new to the city when they started the process. She said they heard a lot about how the brew tower was ubiquitous to the city, and Tumwater Falls is still a major tourist attraction.
Cook said they started with a black and white version of the logo before trying to incorporate colors. But versions in shades of aquamarine, blue and a gray-green will show up around the city on signs, city vehicles and more. Cook said the colors were chosen because they’re natural and versatile.
Mayor Debbie Sullivan said the city has uniforms, safety vests and other items on hold until the new logo is implemented, so they’re hoping it can be rolled out fairly quickly. Council member Charlie Schneider said he’d like to be the first to put in an order for merchandise with the new logo.
But there were mixed reviews from other city council members.
Leatta Dalhoff said she wanted to see a tree instead of the water in the new logo, but that she is eager to retire the old design.
Council member Eileen Swarthout said knowing that Tumwater’s Native origins have always pointed to the falls as a resource and focal point, it’s important to include that in the city’s heritage and logo.
“It’s really functional, too,” Swarthout said. “Other cities have updated graphics like this, so it’s nice to take that step and change our look. We like to cut our hair or change our clothes sometimes, and it’s now time to change our logo.”
Council member Joan Cathey said she doesn’t care for the logo.
“I don’t like that big building sitting there. I miss the fact we have any trees anywhere, the water looks like waves to me instead of tumbling water, and it makes me think of the ocean,” she said.
Cathey said she can live with it, though. She joked it won’t make her move away from Tumwater.
Mayor Sullivan said it isn’t just about the brew tower. Its architecture is featured throughout the city and can be seen in City Hall and many other buildings.
Cook said the new logo will be phased in over the next two years, with a priority on digital areas such as the city’s website, as well as city equipment and supplies. She said the cost for design services was set to not exceed $5,000.
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
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