East Olympia in Thurston County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Bell History
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, August 17, 2026
1. Bell History Marker
Purchased by: City of Olympia, September 16, 1887
Purchased from: McShane Bell Foundary [sic] Baltimore
Cost: 17 x 1509 pounds = $25,633
Shipped: from Baltimore to San Francisco to Seattle
Use: To call out volunteer fire fighters
Located: Mounted on Hea[illegible] Fire Stations until 1986.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1887.
Location. 47° 2.772′ N, 122° 53.285′ W. Marker is in Olympia, Washington, in Thurston County. It is in East Olympia. It is at the intersection of Eastside Street NE and State Street, on the right when traveling north on Eastside Street NE. The bell and marker are located in front of Olympia Fire Department Station 1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Eastside Street NE, Olympia WA, 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early Olympia Fire Department (approx. 0.2 miles away); Masonic Lodge 1854-1971, (approx. ¼ mile away); Daniel R. Bigelow House (1854) (approx. ¼ mile away); Susan B. Anthony Visits Bigelow House (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Bigelow House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Howard Point - An Olympia Black History Landmark (approx. 0.3 miles away); Billy the man (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1903 Washington State Legislative Meeting Site (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olympia.
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, August 17, 2026
2. Bell History Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 18, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 2. submitted on August 28, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
