Olympia in Thurston County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The First William Winlock Miller High School
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015
1. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker
The first William Winlock Miller High School opened on this site in 1907. Known as Olympia High School, it was the first high school building in lower Puget Sound, built on land donated by Mary McFadden Miller. In 1851 her husband William Winlock Miller was the first commissioned federal officer to serve in what was then known as Northern Oregon, as US Customs inspector at Nisqually. Miller's leadership in many official roles influenced the development of Washington Territory.
The school burned from uncertain cause on a Sunday afternoon in July 1918.
Erected 2008 by Olympia High School Alumni Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
Location. 47° 2.214′ N, 122° 54.171′ W. Marker is in Olympia, Washington, in Thurston County. It is on North Diagonal west of Capitol Way South, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of the Sunken Gardens, one block west of the Washington Supreme Court building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 12th Avenue SW, Olympia WA 98501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region and in Greater Seattle. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: POW AND MIA Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Putting down roots (within shouting
this page online
More about this marker. Marker is a large metal tablet, mounted horizontally at knee-level on a bevel-cut sandstone block.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015
2. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (tall view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015
3. Tenino Sandstone plaque (mounted below marker)
This Tenino sandstone is believed to have been part of the original William Winlock Miller School. After the school burned, its stone was moved to the bluff at the west edge of the campus. Some of that sandstone was used to construct the face of the Power House in 1920.
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, January 8, 2026
4. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015
5. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (wide view; Sunken Gardens in background)
circa 1910
6. Miller High School, Olympia, Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 5. submitted on January 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6. submitted on January 16, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
