Washington’s state capitol highlights Olympia visit
Washington’s state capitol has withstood three major earthquakes. A sign of the strong base of government in Olympia? Actually, a brilliant design by the architects, who designed the capitol building in 1922.
The 42nd state’s capitol has been located Olympia – about an hour south of Seattle on Interstate 5 – since the state was a territory. The land where the capitol complex is located was donated by a local to help keep the capitol there.
The capitol building is home to the legislature, governor’s office, lieutenant governor’s office, treasurer and secretary of state’s office. The building is part of the government complex. The campus includes the Temple of Justice – which has the state supreme court, law library and office agencies – and the governor’s mansion.
We toured the main building, also known as the Legislative Building. Olympia marked the eighth state capitol we’ve visited. It’s become a goal to visit state capitols when we are close enough.
The capitol was completed in 1928, the result of a six-year construction project. The exterior features Washington limestone. There are 42 steps, to symbolize Washington becoming the 42nd state.
Inside, visitors are greeted by statues of two significant state residents. The first is Marcus Whitman, who traveled across the country as a missionary and frontiersman before settling in the state. A side note – his wife was attributed as the first white woman to ride horseback across the country. The couple were killed along with others during an incident with Native Americans.
The second statue recognizes a Catholic nun. Mother Joseph was a Sister of Providence. Nicknamed the “Builder,” Mother Joseph was involved led efforts in education, health care and social work. Her nickname came from being involved with physically building projects and her knowledge of construction.
The capitol has a beautiful rotunda. Lamps and Roman fire pots are located in the four corners. They were created by Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of the founder of Tiffany and Company, as in “Yep, that’s from Tiffany.”
In the middle of the rotunda, roped off for protection, is the state seal, which features the likeness of President George Washington, the state’s namesake.
The dome is about 287 feet high. Washington has one of the tallest domes in the United States.
The state legislature consists of two chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has 94 members, two representatives from each of the 47 state districts. The Senate has 47 members, one for each district.
The governor’s office was fairly non-descript. You know you’re in the state’s leader’s office when a state patrol officer greets you inside the entrance. Washington recognizes some of its chief executive officers with small portraits in the lobby, including the first female governor, Dixie Lee Ray.
Visitors can check out noteworthy state symbols in the secretary of state’s office, including apples, a whale, trout fish, mammoth and wheatgrass.
Outside the capitol, visitors can take in views of several monuments and memorials, including veterans, as well as law enforcement.
Just outside the Legislative Building is “Winged Victory.” It honors Washingtonians who died during World War I. The statue is an impressive memorial. The four figures are walking away from the capitol, toward the horizon. Winged Victory – aka Nike – extends an olive branch over the soldiers.
The World War II memorial honors the nearly 6,000 state residents who died during battle. The names are emblazoned on bronze blades. Major battles and events are noted in stone.
We enjoyed our visit to the Washington State Capitol. Capitol tours are great ways to learn about a state’s history. We recommend visiting the Washington state capitol when in the Seattle or Olympia area.
For more information, please visit www.visitolympia.com or www.des.wa.gov.
