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Looking back: Historic images of downtown Olympia for February 2026

By The Olympian staff

Looking Back’s theme for 2026 is Downtown by the Decades. Each week will feature a view of downtown Olympia over the years.

Photographs are selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org.

These are the images selected for February 2026.

The Homestead Act encouraged American settlers to come to the west and claim land for a small fee. This photograph from the 1880s shows Olympia’s U.S. Land Office, north of Main Street and Sixth Avenue (Capitol Way and Legion), where settlers could file their claims. The man with the furled paper is early settler Charles M. Moore. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org.
The Homestead Act encouraged American settlers to come to the west and claim land for a small fee. This photograph from the 1880s shows Olympia’s U.S. Land Office, north of Main Street and Sixth Avenue (Capitol Way and Legion), where settlers could file their claims. The man with the furled paper is early settler Charles M. Moore. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org. Unknown photographer Courtesy of State Capital Museum Collection, Washington State Historical Society
As Territorial Government grew in the 1880s, the need for lodging for legislators and assorted hangers-on became apparent. Several local business people, including self-described capitalist Pamelia Case Hale, financed the imposing Olympia Hotel. It was on Main Street (Capitol Way), north of Eighth Avenue. It burned in a spectacular fire in 1901. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org.
As Territorial Government grew in the 1880s, the need for lodging for legislators and assorted hangers-on became apparent. Several local business people, including self-described capitalist Pamelia Case Hale, financed the imposing Olympia Hotel. It was on Main Street (Capitol Way), north of Eighth Avenue. It burned in a spectacular fire in 1901. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org. Courtesy State Capital Museum collection Washington State Historical Society
In the 1870s, Sam Williams established a hardware store near the corner of Fourth Avenue and Capitol Way. Sam and Hulda Williams’ home, shown here, was at the northwest corner of the intersection, the current site of the Mottman Building. The Williams hardware store to its north was later replaced by the Olympia Hardware building, still in existence. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org.
In the 1870s, Sam Williams established a hardware store near the corner of Fourth Avenue and Capitol Way. Sam and Hulda Williams’ home, shown here, was at the northwest corner of the intersection, the current site of the Mottman Building. The Williams hardware store to its north was later replaced by the Olympia Hardware building, still in existence. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org. A.B. Woodard photo, 1870s Courtesy of State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society
In the 1870s, the commercial center of Olympia was still north of Fourth Avenue. In this 1876 photo, we are looking north down Main Street (Capitol Way) from around Sixth Avenue (now Legion Way). Residences are in the foreground, with shops, restaurants and hotels in the distance. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org.
In the 1870s, the commercial center of Olympia was still north of Fourth Avenue. In this 1876 photo, we are looking north down Main Street (Capitol Way) from around Sixth Avenue (now Legion Way). Residences are in the foreground, with shops, restaurants and hotels in the distance. Image selected and captioned by Deborah Ross on behalf of the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, https://olympiahistory.org. Unknown photographer, 1876 Courtesy of State Capital Museum collection, Washington State Historical Society

This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 5:15 AM with the headline "Looking back: Historic images of downtown Olympia for February 2026."

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