Olympia

Olympia is the capital city in Washington, United States, positioned where the Deschutes River meets Budd Inlet at the southern tip of Puget Sound. The downtown core spreads inland from the waterfront, bordered by forested hills and residential districts that climb eastward toward Capitol Lake and the state government campus.

The settlement started when two land claimants platted the townsite in 1850, attracting merchants and sawmill operators to the protected harbor. Washington became a state in 1889, confirming this location as the permanent seat of government and triggering construction of the Legislative Building in the early 20th century.

The name honors the nearby Olympic Mountains visible from the waterfront, linking the settlement to the ancient Greek tradition of naming peaks after mythical homes. Locals gather at the boardwalk farmers market on weekends, where vendors sell regional produce and handmade crafts alongside food trucks serving Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Access to the waterfront and public parks remains open year-round, with clear days in spring and fall offering the best views of surrounding peaks. Downtown areas are walkable, while buses run regularly between government buildings, residential zones, and shopping districts throughout the county.

Natural artesian wells still flow in several neighborhoods, providing fresh water that rises to the surface without pumping. Some of these historic springs remain accessible in parks and backyards, where residents fill bottles and taste the cool mineral water directly from the ground.

Location: Thurston County

Inception: January 28, 1859

Elevation above the sea: 29 m

Shares border with: Tumwater

Website: https://olympiawa.gov

GPS coordinates: 47.04250,-122.89306

Latest update: December 15, 2025 16:30