Downtown in Olympia in Thurston County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
George Washington Elm
1732-1932
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, February 19, 2026
1. George Washington Elm Marker
Presented by the University of Washington. Planted by Sacajawea Chapter D.A.R.
Erected 1932 by University of Washington and Sacajawea Chapter D.A.R.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list.
Location. 47° 2.279′ N, 122° 54.085′ W. Memorial is in Olympia, Washington, in Thurston County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of 11th Avenue Southwest and Capital Way S, on the right when traveling east on 11th Avenue Southwest. NE corner of the capitol grounds. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 110 11th Ave SW, Olympia WA 98501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial 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: Sequoia Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Home site of the first Territorial Governor of Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Putting down roots (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First William Winlock Miller High School (about 500 feet away); An Olmsted Legacy (about 600 feet
this page online
More about this memorial. This tree was propagated from a slip sent to the University of Washington from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Under the sponsorship of the Sacajawea Chapter DAR, the tree was planted on Thursday, February 19, 1932, during the bicentennial observance of George Washington's birthday. The chapter later declined an offer from the state DAR to plant a second tree, but it was planted anyway, despite the chapter's preference. The second tree is long gone, fallen, replaced, and blown down again. This one still remains. Source: Sacajawea records and the Olympian newspaper, "Our Elm Survives", pg 16, December 2, 1962.
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, February 19, 2026
2. George Washington Elm Marker with the Capitol Rotunda and the capitol campus in the background.
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, February 19, 2026
3. George Washington Elm Marker, looking off campus.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 34 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
