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

Harris Drygoods Building

Built 1888, Rehabilitated 2004

— Olympia Heritage Site —

Harris Drygoods Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 9, 2026

1. Harris Drygoods Building Marker

Inscription. Isaac Harris came west from New York in 1870, first to Salem, Oregon and later to Walla Walla, Washington and Montana. He and his wife Annie settled in Olympia in 1880. Their first store was north of this location on Capitol Way, then Main Street. The Harris' sons, Gus and Mitchel joined their father in the business. Mitchel Harris was twice elected Mayor of Olympia and was for a time a member of the Capitol Commission. The business was purchased by Miller Department Stores in 1928 but retained the historic name. This building was occupied by a number of retail stores. The building was severely damaged in the 1949 earthquake when it lost its front facade. Extensively damaged in the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, the building was rehabilitated in 2004 with a "contemporary interpretation" of the historic façade.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 47° 2.621′ N, 122° 54.078′ W. Marker is in Olympia, Washington, in Thurston County. It is in Downtown. It is on Capitol Way south of 5th Avenue

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

SE, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 518 Capitol Way, 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,

on 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: Marking the End of the Oregon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); John Rankin Rogers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington Women Win the Vote (about 500 feet away); Former Olympia Library (about 800 feet away); Old City Hall and Fire Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tribute to Family Support Center Founders (approx. 0.2 miles away); Honoring and Remembering (approx. 0.2 miles away); Olympia Lodge No. 1 F. & A.M. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Wide view of Harris Drygoods Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 9, 2026

2. Wide view of Harris Drygoods Building Marker

in Olympia.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.