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 Forklift Masts Olympia - Olympia, Washington supports a population of around 46,500 residents while serving as the capital of the state and the county seat of Thurston County. Olympia is located in the Puget Sound region.
The Lushootseed-speaking peoples inhabited the area before European settlement. These indigenous cultures consisted of Chehalis, Puyallup, Duwamish, Squaxin, Suquamish and Nisqually. During 1792, the British Vancouver Expedition charted the site. During 1846, Levi Smith and Edmund Sylvester lay claim to the location that would become the city's downtown. During the year 1851, Olympia was selected by Congress as the location for the customs house, serving Washington Territory. Many settlers arrived via the Oregon Trail and stayed. In 1853, the township officially became known as Olympia because of its spectacular view of the Olympic Mountain range. A fleet of steamboats called the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet served the residents. It was incorporated as a city in the year 1859.
There are several important artesian wells in the City of Olympia. These Artesian springs were the main supply of fresh water for inhabitants. The McAllister Springs still serves as Olympia's water source. The artesian spring was the place where inhabitants gathered to socialize. There is still an active artesian well in the Diamond Parking lot at Fourth Avenue and Jefferson Street, preserved by the City of Olympia, and another at the corner of Olympia Avenue and Washington Street. For many years, Olympia Beer was brewed using water from artesian wells. A lot of the artesian wells have been covered over by new development.
Olympia is a major cultural center. There are several local theatrical companies including the Olympia Family Theater, the Capital Playhouse, Harlequin Productions, Olympia Little Theater and Theater Artists Olympia. The historic State Theater situated on Fourth Avenue is considered a cinematic treasure. The Washington Center is a major venue for music and performance. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra performs there throughout concert season.
Olympia serves as a hub for visual arts with many local coffeehouses displaying visual art; the most popular of which are Batdorf & Bronson, Burial Grounds and Caffe Vita. The vibrant Art House Designs is both a fine art gallery and a jazz venue. Percival Landing along the urban waterfront features public art installations and murals. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts regularly exhibits art in its lobby.
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