Olympia Real Estate Agents, Olympia Homes for Sale, Olympia Condos, King County, Washington, WA

Olympia Real Estate Overview

Olympia is the capital of Washington, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 42,514. It is the county seat of Thurston County. Along with the cities of Lacey and Tumwater, Olympia is the focal point of the South Puget Sound region.

History

The site of Olympia was home to Lushootseed-speaking peoples for thousands of years. The abundant shellfish in the tideflats and the many salmon-spawning streams entering Puget Sound at this point made it a productive food-gathering area. Many tribes shared access to these resources, including Squaxin, Nisqually, Puyallup, Chehalis, Suquamish, and Duwamish.

In the 1830s the Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post at nearby Sequalitchew Creek (now Dupont) In the 1840s Catholic missionaries built a mission at Priest Point near the future townsite for the conversion of natives to Catholicism.

American settlers came to the area in the 1840s, drawn by the water-power potential of Tumwater Falls and established nearby "New Market," now known as Tumwater, the first American settlement north of the Columbia River.

Edmund Sylvester and Levi Smith jointly claimed the land that now comprises downtown Olympia. Smith's untimely death in 1848 left Sylvester the sole owner of the future townsite.

A campaign by settlers to create a separate territory from Oregon resulted in Congress creating the Washington Territory. Isaac I. Stevens served as its first governor. Upon his arrival in Olympia in 1853 Stevens declared it capital of the territory.

Olympia was incorporated on January 28, 1859. Olympia was made Washington's capital in 1889. Construction of the current Washington State Capitol began in 1912, with the prominent Legislative Building completed in 1928.

In 1971, The Evergreen State College was founded mostly due to the efforts of Progressive Republican Governor Daniel J. Evans.

Because of the college's presence, Olympia has become a hub for artists and musicians (many of whom have been influential in post-punk, anti-punk, anti-folk, Lo-fi, and other music trends (see Olympia music scene)). Evergreen's influence on Olympia is clear - Olympia was recently named one of the best college towns in the nation. Not surprisingly, Olympia boasts a vibrant downtown bar district.

Olympia hosts the state's largest annual Earth Day celebration, Procession of the Species, a community arts-based festival and parade.

Olympia Neighborhoods

Bigelow, Bush, Chehalis, Downtown Olympia, Eastside, Lacey, Lamberts Corner, Mccleary, North Olympia, South Bay, South Capitol, South Westside, Thompson Place, Tumwater.

The Olympia real estate links will help you find Olympia homes for sale, Olympia real estate agents and Olympia home values. Get access to Olympia real estate listings and Olympia home listings, including the Olympia MLS, Olympia REALTORS, Olympia new homes, Olympia condos, Olympia condominiums, Olympia property, Olympia land, Olympia acreage and Olympia foreclosures. These free real estate services feature all Olympia cities, Olympia towns, Olympia suburbs and Olympia neighborhoods. The websites linked above also contain information on Olympia home selling, Olympia home buying, Olympia mortgages, Olympia insurance, Olympia movers and other Olympia realty services for anyone looking to sell a home or buy a home in Olympia, King County, Washington, WA.

Also: Olympia, Washington Official Website