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78-648: Van De Wege chaired the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee and also served on the Senate Ways & Means Committee and the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee. He lived in Sequim Washington for 20 years before moving to Port Angeles with his wife Jennifer, a Principal at Tenino Elementary School. His daughter, Allison, is a graduate from Western Washington University and

156-561: A football team but folded it in hopes of saving money to keep other WWU teams competitive. In addition to its varsity sports programs, WWU also has a number of student-run club sports teams: A total of 16,121 students were in attendance at Western Washington University in the 2018–19 academic year. 92 percent of students are under 25 years of age, and 84 percent are from Washington State. Many students at Western Washington University participate in organized student government. The Associated Students of Western Washington University (ASWWU)

234-514: A 93% acceptance rate. Western Washington University ranked first among the top medium-sized colleges and universities with alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers in 2013 and 2014. WWU is an official member of NCAA Division II, having joined in September 1998. In 2011–12, approximately 350 students are participating in 15 varsity sports at Western, six for men and nine for women. In 2010–11, WWU placed seventh among 310 NCAA Division II schools in

312-598: A Master of Arts in Public Administration from Fort Hays State University. Starting in 1995 Van De Wege served as a Resident Firefighter with Snohomish County Fire District #7 and completed paramedic training. During the summer of 1998 he did a paramedic internship in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and became a fully certified paramedic later that fall. Van De Wege was hired in February 1999 to his first paid position as

390-640: A firefighter/paramedic with the Sunnyside Fire Department. He worked there for two years until he was offered a full-time position in Sequim in 2001. As of 2024, Van De Wege serves as a Captain with the Clallam County Fire District #3. In 2004, Van De Wege challenged Republican incumbent Representative Jim Buck, narrowly losing 51-49 percent, a margin of fewer than 2,000 votes. In 2006, Van De Wege again challenged Buck, and this time won

468-667: A free shuttle route called "Dash". Dash runs from the Capitol Campus to the Farmers Market at the far edge of downtown. Intercity Transit's Olympia Express provides service to Lakewood and Tacoma, with connections to regional bus and commuter rail service. In 2009 Intercity Transit won an award for America's best Public Transportation System in the midsize category by the American Public Transportation Association . The fleet runs entirely on biodiesel fuel and

546-688: A gallery in its Minnaert Center with rotating exhibitions. Evergreen State College, northwest of Olympia, has a professionally curated gallery with rotating shows in the Dan Evans Library building. South of Olympia, Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park has an 80-acre sculpture garden and art gallery . Each year, the Olympia Film Society (OFS) produces a film festival and fosters film and video education in Olympia. It also shows independent, classic, and international films year-round at

624-601: A large library of vinyl records that can be listened to in the studio. The Western Washington University Police Department (abbreviated WWUPD) are a university police force at the university. The police chief of the department is Katryne "Katy" Potts, who was sworn into the position in January 2023. The department also has a staff of "Green Coats" under their public safety branch, who offer "safety escorts on campus, event security staffing and building access services for current students." Olympia, Washington Olympia

702-462: A local coffee roaster. Donations from the public were used to form "Friends of the Artesians", a group that researched the wells, maintained them, and tested their quality. They were later replaced by the non-profit organization H2Olympia in 2009. In 2011, the city of Olympia committed $ 50,000 toward improvements of an artesian well in a parking lot that the city purchased the same year. Renovations at

780-511: A male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were other families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age in the city was 38 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of

858-476: A permanent school building, now known as Old Main , the current administration building. Designed by prominent Seattle architects Warren Skillings & James Corner, it was completed by early 1897 but could not be opened to students until funds could be secured to install heating, lighting, and to do general grounds maintenance, which were not included in the original contract. The first official class entered in 1899, composed of 88 students. The institution that

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936-620: A reduced tuition level that is equivalent to a $ 30,000 four-year scholarship. In 2022-23, U.S. News ranked Western as the top public master's granting university in the Pacific Northwest , while placing 14th overall in the West (both public and private). Western was one of only two public schools ranked among the top 25 Master's-Granting Universities (West) category. The universities found in this ranking are schools that lack doctoral programs but still retain master's programs. The institution has

1014-558: A small Eastside Community), and Trillium Park, which was created by the efforts of adjoining neighborhood associations with the easement of private property. The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is near Olympia, as are the Capitol State Forest , Burfoot Park , and the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area . In 1984, Olympia hosted the U.S. Olympic women's marathon trial. The winner of

1092-456: A table in Red Square to promote their club need to sign up for a space through the university. A blue board at the West side of Red Square has general university policy on freedom of speech and also guidelines for using chalk on the bricks. There are multiple news outlets associated with the university. WWU's Office of University Communications operates several publications, including: There

1170-440: A volunteer. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in public safety and the fire service. After graduating from high school in 1993, Van De Wege attended Edmonds Community College where he earned an associate's degree in fire investigation in 1995 and an associate degree in fire command and administration in 1996. In 2002, Van De Wege received a Bachelor of Arts in social science from Washington State University , and

1248-488: A year-round average of 75% cloud cover. Annual precipitation has ranged from 29.92 in (760 mm) in 1952 to 66.71 in (1,694 mm) in 1950; for water year (October 1 – September 30) precipitation, the range is 32.71 in (831 mm) in 2000–01 to 72.57 in (1,843 mm) in 1998–99. With a period of record dating back to 1948, extreme temperatures have ranged from −8 °F (−22 °C) on January 1, 1979, up to 110 °F (43 °C), on June 28, 2021;

1326-519: Is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities . Specific programs or academic units are accredited or approved by specialized organization: The undergraduate honors program offers merit scholarships worth up to $ 5,000. These scholarships are awarded to successful applicants to the honors program. No separate application is necessary. High-achieving freshmen from colleges in other western states can enroll at Western at

1404-698: Is "an organization designed and run by Western students, the Associated Students (AS) seeks to ensure a fulfilling college and academic experience for all university students through the many services, facilities and programs it offers." Within ASWWU, there are five main areas of focus: clubs, activities, programs, facilities & services, and governance. The AS aims to provide "funding, space and services" to students "uniting around common interests." The AS staff assist student development of clubs and provide advising, "continuity, referral and record keeping" throughout

1482-590: Is a public university in Bellingham, Washington , United States. The northernmost university in the contiguous United States , WWU was founded in 1893 as the state-funded New Whatcom Normal School, succeeding a private school of teaching for women founded in 1886. The university adopted its present name in 1977. WWU offers bachelor's and master's degrees as a few doctorates . In 2022 , there were 14,747 students, 13,801 of whom were undergraduate students, and 664 full-time faculty. Its athletic teams are known as

1560-588: Is a livestream of Red Square filmed from the top of Bond Hall. Student-run publications at WWU include: The Student Publications Office of the university publishes the Front , Klipsun , Occam's Razor , and the Planet , as well as Jeopardy . The Associated Students of Western Washington University also operates media services, including Wavelength , a weekly online and printed alternative news source. The KUGS radio station accepts albums from students to air. KUGS also has

1638-692: Is a private high school. In addition to primary and secondary schools, Olympia has a number of institutions of higher learning, including The Evergreen State College and South Puget Sound Community College . The Evergreen State College (TESC) offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts and science, and master's degrees in environmental studies, public administration, education, and teaching. South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) offers associate degrees in arts, science, biology, elementary education, pre-nursing, applied science, general studies, and business. Robust journalism in Olympia dates to before Washington Territory 's incorporation in 1853. The Olympian

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1716-642: Is a soccer club that was founded in 2014 and primarily played at Black Hill High School. They field an amateur men's team in USL League Two and the Evergreen Premier League . The women's team was associated with the Northwest Premier League . As of 2024 , the teams play their home matches at South Sound Stadium and the women's team plays in the USL W League . The majority of Olympia is located in

1794-514: Is available to all Western students. The History Department offers HIST 390 which is a special topics class with in-depth readings of primary and secondary sources. In Spring of 2023, a HIST 390 on Indigenous History of North America was offered. The class covers the formation of the Iroquois confederacy, Mississippian chiefdoms, the Illinois people, Caddo people, and more. Students who desire to set up

1872-582: Is composed of about 20% biodiesel-electric hybrid buses. Olympia Regional Airport is just south of Olympia in Tumwater. It is operated by the Port of Olympia and serves general aviation as well as corporate aviation . The airport hosts the Olympic AirShow, a medium-sized airshow that occurs on Father's Day weekend each year. Olympia is twinned with: A previous sister city agreement with Olympia, Greece ,

1950-522: Is located close to Interstate 5 . The Bellingham campus is 215 acres (87 ha), including the 38-acre (15 ha) Sehome Hill Arboretum , operated jointly with the City of Bellingham. Campus facilities include an electronic music studio, an air pollution lab, a motor vehicle research lab, a marine research lab, a wind tunnel, and two electron microscopes . Western's Vehicle Research Institute has led Automobile Magazine to describe Western as "very possibly

2028-586: Is located near the southern limit of the Fraser Glaciation and the underlying sediments consist largely of Vashon -age till and outwash deposited at that time; the area also includes former lakebeds and alluvial deposits associated with proglacial lakes that existed in the area near the end of Vashon-stage glaciation. Residual glacial topography in the area includes drumlins , subglacial channels , and kettle lakes . Much of downtown Olympia sits on reclaimed land . Tidewater areas were filled as early as

2106-506: Is now Western Washington University underwent several name changes. In 1901, the school's name was changed to State Normal School at Whatcom to reflect New Whatcom's name change. In 1904, the name was changed to Washington State Normal School at Bellingham when the townships of Whatcom and Fairhaven joined, and again in 1937, to Western Washington College of Education when it became a four-year college. Twenty-four years later it became Western Washington State College and finally, in 1977,

2184-1006: Is part of USDA Hardiness zone 8a, with isolated pockets around Puget Sound in zone 8b. Most of western Washington's weather is brought in by weather systems that form near the Aleutian Islands in Alaska . It contains cold moist air, which brings western Washington cold rain, cloudiness, and fog. November through January are Olympia's rainiest months. City streets, creeks, and rivers can flood from November to February. The monthly mean temperature ranges from 38.4 °F (3.6 °C) in December to 64.1 °F (17.8 °C) in August. Seasonal snowfall for 1981–2010 averaged 10.8 inches (27.4 cm) but has historically ranged from trace amounts in 1991–92 to 81.5 in (207 cm) in 1968–69. Olympia averages 50 inches (1,270 mm) of precipitation annually and has

2262-445: Is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County . It had a population of 55,605 at the time of the 2020 census , making it the state of Washington's 23rd-most populous city . Olympia borders Lacey to the east and Tumwater to the south. The Squaxin and other Coast Salish peoples inhabited the southern Puget Sound region prior to the arrival of European and American settlers in

2340-464: Is the local daily newspaper. The Tacoma-based Weekly Volcano has covered Olympia entertainment since 2001. Progressive newspaper Works in Progress is published monthly. The statewide government channel TVW is based in Olympia. Online outlet NorthAmericaTalk, an aggregate for local community news and marketing, was established with headquarters in Olympia. Olympia and Thurston County are included in

2418-620: Is the third largest in Washington after Washington State University and the University of Washington . WWU's main campus is located in Bellingham , a city of about 95,000 people, overlooking Bellingham Bay and many of the San Juan Islands . The university is 90 miles (140 km) north of Seattle , 55 miles (89 km) south of Vancouver , British Columbia , and an hour's drive from 10,778-foot (3,285 m) Mount Baker . The university

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2496-480: Is transmitted from a tower in nearby Tumwater . Evergreen State College's KAOS broadcasts a mix of educational and political programming, with student-driven music shows. Amtrak provides service to Olympia-Lacey at Centennial Station . Amtrak train 11, the southbound Coast Starlight , departs Olympia at 11:19am with service to Centralia; Portland ; Sacramento ; Emeryville, California (with bus connection to San Francisco ); and Los Angeles . Amtrak train 14,

2574-548: Is working in child development and education with the YMCA . His son, Jackson, is studying at Montana State University . Van De Wege was born in Seattle in 1974 and grew up in rural Whatcom County . As a child, he worked on berry farms and at a local dairy farm . He attended Meridian School District public schools from kindergarten through high school. During his senior year of high school he joined Whatcom County Fire District #3 as

2652-513: The Bigelow Neighborhood . The northeast end of Capitol Lake was the location of an artesian well until the construction of a new park that included changes to the shoreline. McAllister Springs , Olympia's main water source, is fed by artesian wells, and the former Olympia Brewery is supplied by 26 artesian wells. Efforts to protect and preserve the free-flowing artesian well on 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia began in 1991 with support from

2730-606: The College of the Environment , the nation's first dedicated environmental science college, was founded, continuing Western's trend toward "cluster" colleges. That same year, on a spring afternoon, students gained headlines by blocking Interstate 5 to protest the Vietnam War . Also in 1969, the College of Ethnic Studies was established; however, after being met with significant resistance, it

2808-634: The Northwest Normal School , a teachers' school predominantly for women although men also enrolled, by Phoebe Judson in Lynden , Washington, in 1886. Eventually the school moved to Bellingham (then "New Whatcom"), and through the efforts of William R. Moultray and George Judson (Phoebe's son). Governor John McGraw signed legislation establishing the New Whatcom Normal School on February 24, 1893. In November 1895, construction began on

2886-609: The Olympia School District . It enrolled 9,782 students in K-12 in the 2021–22 school year. The district has a total of 18 schools: 11 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Its high schools are Olympia High School (formally known as William Winlock Miller High School), Capital High School , and Avanti High School. Portions of Olympia are in the North Thurston Public Schools district and

2964-649: The Tumwater School District . In the 2007–08 school year, Olympia began the Parent Partnership Program, which provides more opportunities to homeschooling families. Olympia's online high school, Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), is part of the same program. Private elementary schools include Olympia Waldorf School, Olympia Community School, St. Michael School, Holy Family, and Evergreen Christian. Private middle schools include Olympia Waldorf School and NOVA School. Pope John Paul II High School

3042-792: The Vikings , which compete in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The main campus is located on 215 acres in Bellingham. WWU also operates a marine center in Anacortes and academic locations in Everett and the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities . Western was established as

3120-672: The 1870s, but the major change occurred in 1910–11 with placement of the Carlyon Fill (named for mayor P.H. Carlyon). Over two million cubic yards (1,500,000 m ) of sediment were dredged , thereby creating a deep-water port at Olympia; the dredged material was used to fill tidelands, creating almost 30 blocks of what is now downtown. Olympia has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen : Csb ). The local microclimate has dry summers in July and mildly humid summers in early June and late August, with cool July and August overnight lows. It

3198-705: The 19th century. The Treaty of Medicine Creek was signed in 1854 and followed by the Treaty of Olympia in 1856; these two treaties forced the Squaxin to relocate to an Indian reservation . Olympia was incorporated as a town on January 28, 1859, and as a city in 1882. The site of Olympia had been home to Lushootseed -speaking peoples known as the Steh-Chass (or Stehchass, later part of the post-treaty Squaxin Island Tribe) for thousands of years. Other Native Americans regularly visited

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3276-774: The Heritage Caucus in Olympia , and is a member of the Law Enforcement Officer and Fire Fighter Pension Board. Van De Wege resigned from his seat on October 2, 2024. Van De Wege announced his campaign for Public Lands Commissioner on June 21, 2023, giving up his seat in the Senate . He did not make it through the Primary election , finishing sixth out of seven candidates, with 7.52% of the vote. Western Washington University Western Washington University ( WWU or Western )

3354-574: The Procession of the Species attracts up to 30,000 viewers, while its costumed participants of all ages frequently number nearly 3,000. On the Friday evening before the Procession of Species, a Luminary Procession is held. The Fleetwoods , a popular 1950s and 1960s doo-wop group, whose hits included " Come Softly to Me " and " Mr. Blue ", originated in Olympia. Additionally, acclaimed black metal band Wolves in

3432-529: The Seattle-Tacoma designated market area (DMA), and therefore are chiefly served by Seattle's network-affiliated television stations and some radio stations. Since 1983, Olympia has had a public, educational and government access television station, which was rebranded in 2016 as Thurston Community Media. Olympia sits on the southern fringe of the FM signal of National Public Radio member station KUOW . An AM simulcast

3510-584: The Sports Director's Cup national all-sports standings, the second-highest finish in school history. The Vikings were sixth in 2009–2010 and tenth in 2008–2009. WWU has had eight straight Top 50 finishes and been among the Top 100 in each of its first 13 seasons as an NCAA II member. In 2010–11, Western won its third straight and seventh overall Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Sports championship, taking league titles in volleyball, men's golf and women's golf, and

3588-876: The Throne Room hails from the city, forming in 2002. Olympia has a wide array of public parks and nature conservation areas. Percival Landing Park includes 0.9 miles (1.4 km) of boardwalk along Budd Inlet, as well as a playground, picnic areas, and a large open space. The boardwalk leads north to an open-air amphitheater, a viewing tower beside the Port of Olympia, as well as the Olympia Farmers' Market. Squaxin Park has an extensive trail system, 150-year-old forest, and undeveloped waterfront on Puget Sound. The city's 39 other developed parks include Watershed Park , Woodruff Park , Sunrise Park , Yauger Park (home to one of Olympia's public skate parks ), Friendly Grove (nestled in

3666-608: The Washington State Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts , and private donations, includes 36 works: Founded in 1960, the collection includes large-scale works by James FitzGerald , Isamu Noguchi , Robert Morris , Mark di Suvero , Anthony Caro , Nancy Holt , Beverly Pepper , Richard Serra , Donald Judd and Bruce Nauman , among others. Western offers multiple bachelor's degrees , as well as

3744-508: The art-deco Capitol Theater . A mostly volunteer-powered organization, OFS supports and presents a variety of cultural events, including All Freakin' Night , an all-night horror film screening with a cult following. On the fourth Saturday in April, in honor of Earth Day , Olympia is host to one of the region's largest community celebrations – the Procession of the Species . Held in conjunction with

3822-527: The beginning of the Puget Sound War . The war ended with Leschi's capture in 1856; he was executed two years later. The 1949 Olympia earthquake damaged many historic buildings beyond repair, and they were demolished. Parts of the city also suffered damage from earthquakes in 1965 and 2001 . Interstate 5 was built through the south side of the city in the late 1950s as a replacement for earlier highways that traveled through downtown Olympia. The freeway

3900-448: The best school in the country for total car design." Western also has off-campus facilities at Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, Washington ; Lakewood, a 15-acre (6.1 ha) student-university facility at nearby Lake Whatcom ; and Whatcom County property used for environmental and aquatic analyses. WWU's prized collection of outdoor and indoor public art sculptures is a major presence on its campus. The collection, funded by

3978-486: The campus of Saint Martin's University. Art in Ecology is a long-established art-in-the-workplace venue that has works by numerous northwest artists. Permanent installations by Alfredo Arreguin, commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission, are accompanied by changing solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. Appointments to view the works are needed; tours take about an hour. South Puget Sound Community College has

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4056-470: The city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female. According to Olympia's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the county's top employers are: Olympia is a regional center for fine arts. A number of theatrical experiences are available with companies such as Animal Fire Theater, Olympia Family Theater, Olympia Little Theater, Theater Artists Olympia, Broadway Olympia Productions, and Harlequin Productions at

4134-462: The city was 78.4% White , 9.6% Hispanic or Latino , 7.3% Asian , 3.1% African American , and 6.9% from other races or multiracial. As of the 2010 census , there were 46,478 people, 20,761 households, and 10,672 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,608.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,007.0/km ). There were 22,086 housing units at an average density of 1,239.4 units per square mile (478.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of

4212-444: The city was 83.7% White , 2.0% African American , 1.1% Native American , 6.0% Asian , 0.4% Pacific Islander , 1.8% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.3% of the population. There were 20,761 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had

4290-419: The city's biannual Arts Walk, the Procession is organized by the community-based nonprofit organization Earthbound Productions, and is the culmination of an annual Community Art Studio that is free and open to the public. In its July 2009 Best of America feature, Reader's Digest magazine honored the Procession of the Species with the top spot in its "can't resist" parades and processions list. Open to all,

4368-414: The degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Science , Master of Education , Master in Teaching , Master of Business Administration , Master of Professional Accounting , Master of Fine Arts , Master of Music , Clinical Doctorate in Audiology , and Doctor of Education . The university is also authorized to award honorary degrees . The university is composed of the following colleges : The university

4446-404: The election by more than 3,000 votes 53-47 percent. In his first term in the House, Van De Wege was selected by his colleagues to serve as an assistant majority whip. He was also selected to a key committee focusing on veteran's issues. In 2008, Thomas Thomas of Joyce challenged Van De Wege. Van De Wege prevailed with more than 65 percent of the vote. Van De Wege has become a strong advocate for

4524-453: The entire process. Currently there are over two hundred student clubs in the following categories: Arts and Music, Cultural, Political, Special Interest, Gaming, Social Issues, Departmental, Limited Membership, Service, Religious, and Recreational. In the 2021–22 school year, the music department has a new course for music education majors called K-12 Classroom Accompanying Pedagogy (MUS 262.) A new course in Music and Sustainability (MUS 397E)

4602-468: The estuary at an unspecified date. The city is 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Seattle , the most populous city in Washington, and 100 miles (160 km) north of Portland, Oregon . According to the United States Census Bureau , Olympia has an area of 19.68 square miles (50.97 km ), of which 17.82 sq mi (46.15 km ) is land and 1.86 sq mi (4.82 km ) is water. The cities of Lacey and Tumwater border Olympia. The area

4680-503: The event was Joan Benoit , who won a gold medal at the first women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles . Olympia is the home of the Oly Rollers , the local women's flat track roller derby league whose travel team, the Cosa Nostra Donnas, were the 2009 national champions of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), winning the national Declaration of Derby tournament in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . FC Olympia (also known as Oly Town Artesians)

4758-419: The freezing mark. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 8 through May 3, allowing a growing season of 157 days, nearly 100 days shorter than in Seattle. See or edit raw graph data . Olympia was historically dependent on artesian waters , including springs that supplied early settlers in Swantown and Tumwater. The artesian spring at Fourth Avenue and Main Street (now called Capitol Way)

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4836-478: The head of Budd Inlet and the Steh-Chass, including the other ancestor tribes of the Squaxin , as well as the Nisqually , Puyallup , Chehalis , Suquamish , and Duwamish . The first recorded Europeans came to Olympia in 1792. Peter Puget and a crew from the British Vancouver Expedition are said to have explored the site, but neither recorded any encounters with the resident Indigenous population. In 1846, Edmund Sylvester and Levi Lathrop Smith jointly claimed

4914-478: The historic State Theater, as well as Broadway Olympia's Black Box Theater at Capitol Mall. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra performs five regular-season concerts at the Washington Center and two pops concerts. The Masterworks Chorale Ensemble performs four regular-season concerts at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Visual art venues include some of the local coffeehouses, Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., Batdorf & Bronson , and Burial Grounds downtown, with

4992-457: The institution gained university status and changed to its present name. The 1960s was a period of especially rapid growth for Western, as its enrollment increased from 3,000 students to over 10,000 during the decade. Also during this time, the Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies was founded (1967), with non-traditional education methods that would serve as a model for Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington . Two years later,

5070-407: The land that is now downtown Olympia. In 1851, the U.S. Congress established the Customs District of Puget Sound for Washington Territory and Olympia became the home of the customs house. Its population steadily expanded from Oregon Trail immigrants. In 1850, the town settled on the name Olympia, at local resident Colonel Isaac N. Ebey 's suggestion, because of its view of the Olympic Mountains to

5148-572: The latter indefinitely closed. Art House Designs is an art gallery that also hosts a jazz performance space. Murals and public art installations of sculpture are prevalent in Olympia and are especially featured on the State Capitol Campus and along Percival Landing on the urban waterfront. The Washington Center for the Performing Arts also presents visual art exhibitions throughout the season in its lobby areas. Notable art venues near Olympia include Art in Ecology, housed in Washington Department of Ecology's 322,000-square-foot, three-story building on

5226-517: The northbound Coast Starlight, departs Olympia at 6:01pm daily with service to Tacoma and Seattle . Amtrak Cascades trains, operating as far north as Vancouver and as far south as Eugene, Oregon , serve Olympia-Lacey several times daily in both directions. Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the surrounding area are primarily served by Intercity Transit , with connections to Grays Harbor Transit , Mason Transit Authority , Pierce Transit , Sound Transit , and Twin Transit . Intercity Transit maintains

5304-408: The northwest. The area began to be served by a small fleet of steamboats known as the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet . Over two days, December 24–26, 1854, Governor Isaac I. Stevens negotiated the Treaty of Medicine Creek with the representatives of the Nisqually, Puyallup, Squawksin, Steh'Chass, Noo-Seh-Chatl, Squi-Aitl, T'Peeksin, Sah-Heh-Wa-Mish, and S'Hotl-Ma-Mish tribes. Stevens's treaty included

5382-519: The preservation of Indigenous fishing, hunting, gathering and other rights. It also included a section which, at least as interpreted by United States officials, required the Native American signatories to move to one of three reservations. Doing so would effectively force the Nisqually people to cede their prime farming and living space. One of the leaders of the Nisqually, Chief Leschi , outraged, refused to give up ownership of this land and instead fought for his people's right to their territory, sparking

5460-491: The record cold daily maximum is 18 °F (−8 °C) on January 31, 1950, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 69 °F (21 °C) on July 22, 2006. Between 1991 and 2020 the mean coldest daily maximum was right on the freezing point at 32 °F (0 °C) and the warmest night of the year averaged a very mild 60 °F (16 °C). On average, 6.3 days annually reach 90 °F (32 °C), 1.8 days stay at or below freezing all day, and 78 nights reach

5538-776: The regular-season crown in women's basketball. The Vikings, who won the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference championship, placed second in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's outdoor track, men's indoor track and softball. The Vikings have won an NAIA national championship in softball (1998) and NCAA Division II national championships in women's rowing (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017), men's basketball (2012) and women's soccer (2016). WWU athletes have also won individual national championships in track and field. The Vikings field varsity teams for men and women in cross country, soccer, golf, basketball, and track & field. Women's teams compete in volleyball, softball, and rowing . Between 1903 and 2008 WWU fielded

5616-485: The retiring Jim Hargrove . Van De Wege went on to defeat Independent Republican Danille Turissini in the election, winning 56.6% against Turissini's 43.4%. In 2020, Senator Van De Wege was re-elected with 54.1% of the vote against Republican Port of Port Angeles Commissioner Connie Beauvais who received 45.8% of the vote. Van De Wege is a member of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, co-chairs

5694-406: The state, and Van De Wege's results showed his ability to win support across party lines. In 2012, Van De Wege was challenged by Port Ludlow resident Craig Durgan. Van De Wege prevailed with 64% of the vote in the general election. In 2014, Representative Van De Wege ran unchallenged. In 2016, Van De Wege announced his intention to run for Washington's 24th State Senate district, being vacated by

5772-680: The timber and biomass industries on the Olympic Peninsula. Rep. Van De Wege also led the fight to secure permanent funding for the Neah Bay rescue tug, which provides year-round protection for marine vessels in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. In 2010, Van De Wege won in an anti-Democratic year with nearly 56% of the vote. He was challenged by Port Angeles real estate broker and consultant Dan Gase, who refused to initially acknowledge defeat. Overall, Republicans gained control of several Democratic seats across

5850-505: The well were completed in late 2011, including surface improvements, solar lighting, and a raised area to fill bottles. In spring 2012, sea-themed mosaic artwork created by community members was installed at the site of the well. As of the 2020 census , there were 55,605 people within the city. The population density was 2,825 inhabitants per square mile (1,090.7/km ). There were 25,642 housing units at an average density of 1,303 units per square mile (503 units/km ). The racial makeup of

5928-465: Was dismantled in 1975. Since this period, the College of Arts and Sciences was founded (1973) and divided into the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and the College of Science & Engineering (2003); the College of Fine and Performing Arts was formed from several art departments (1975); and the College of Business and Economics was established (1976). Today, WWU has a student body that currently consists of over 16,000 students. The university

6006-519: Was originally planned to cut through the city, but was moved further out to save costs. It opened to traffic on December 12, 1958, and was later expanded in 1991. Olympia is at the southern end of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet , where the Deschutes River estuary enters the Sound. The river was dammed in 1951 to create Capitol Lake ; in late 2022 the state government approved the dam's removal to restore

6084-409: Was the main community well where settlers, as well as the local Steh-Chass and visiting Native Americans, gathered to socialize. Settler accounts recall paying Native Americans to collect water here. The artesian well at Artesian Commons park, a former parking lot, is active. Another still flows at the corner of Olympia Avenue and Washington Street. A small park was constructed around another spring in

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