Capitol Campus in Olympia in Thurston County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

An Olmsted Legacy

Washington State Capitol Campus

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 11, 2025

1. An Olmsted Legacy Marker

Inscription. The historic landscape of the West Capitol Campus honors the 1929 plan designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers firm. A variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, woodlands and water bodies-incorporated with civic buildings, monuments and memorials-create an enjoyable and educational experience for visitors. This campus has been a nexus for communities since the time of the earliest Indigenous people. It is now home of the state government and a National Historic District. The entire campus became an accredited arboretum in 2023.

Erected 2025 by Washington State Capitol Campus.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 2023.

Location. 47° 2.19′ N, 122° 54.14′ W. Marker is in Olympia, Washington, in Thurston County. It is in Capitol Campus. It is on S Diagonal east of Cherry Ln SW, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1225 Capitol Way S, 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: The Medal of Honor Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); POW AND MIA Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The First William Winlock Miller High School

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(within shouting distance of this marker); To the memories of the citizens of the State of Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Putting down roots (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Home site of the first Territorial Governor of Washington (about 400 feet away); Senator Cal Anderson (about 400 feet away); Sequoia Tree (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olympia.

More about this marker. Bronze plaque

Also see . . .
1. Olmsted Legacy Marker. Washington State Department of Enterprise Services

Washington’s is one of just 12 state capitols, plus the U.S. capitol, that carries forth the Olmsted vision of landscape architecture. It’s one of the most extensive and intact expressions of the Olmsted vision, founded by the legendary American architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. (1822-1903).

(Submitted on November 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. The Olmsted Legacy. Historic Spokane

The initiative to establish a park system in Spokane was part of a national campaign called the City Beautiful Movement, which
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 11, 2025

2. An Olmsted Legacy Marker
developed as a response to rapid nineteenth century industrialization that had turned America's natural landscapes into unsightly urban work places. The movement was supported in Spokane by advocacy groups like the City Beautiful Committee and the 150,000 Club, and was politically driven by the establishment of the non-partisan Parks Commission in 1907. The commission was headed by Aubrey White, a successful businessman who had spent time witnessing the success of city beautification efforts and the work of the nationally renowned Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architecture Firm on the East Coast. The firm was inherited from famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who had designed New York City's Central Park, as well as hundreds of other parks, estates, and college campuses, during the late nineteenth century. Directed by Olmsted's sons John C. Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., the firm was the leader in park design at the turn of the century. President Aubrey White requested a visit from John Olmsted, who was busy working on the Seattle park system. After several meetings between 1907 and 1908, Olmsted agreed to prepare a plan for a Spokane city park system for a salary of $1000. The plan was presented to the Parks Commission in May of 1908, but was not released to the public in full until 1913 to prevent speculation. The board worked to rally support from the media
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 11, 2025

3. [Map of Grounds] Washington State Capitol Ground - General Plan
and advocacy groups, and in 1910 secured a bond for nearly $1,000,000 for the acquisition and development of park land.

(Submitted on November 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 41 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 11, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.