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

Inscription.
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.

Rededicated June 2008, OHS Alumni Assn.

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. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

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walking distance of this marker. POW AND MIA Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Putting down roots (within shouting distance of this marker); The Medal of Honor Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington's State Capitol Design (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sequoia Tree (about 400 feet away); Marathon Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Rankin Rogers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Washington Women Win the Vote (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Olympia.

More about this marker. Marker is a large metal tablet, mounted horizontally at knee-level on a bevel-cut sandstone block.

The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (<i>tall view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015

2. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (tall view)

Tenino Sandstone plaque (<i>mounted below marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

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.

The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (<i>wide view; Sunken Gardens in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 25, 2015

4. The First William Winlock Miller High School Marker (wide view; Sunken Gardens in background)

<i>Miller High School, Olympia, Washington.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

5. Miller High School, Olympia, Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 13, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on January 16, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.