Olympia, WA
Capital of Washington
Overview
Olympia is the capital city of Washington, located in the West region of the United States. Founded in 1850, the city has grown to a population of approximately 55,605 residents within a state of 7,614,893 people. As the seat of Washington's state government, Olympia serves as the political and administrative center of the state.
The city is home to the Washington State Capitol (Legislative Building), a Neoclassical / Roman Revival structure that has been a landmark since its completion in 1928. Designed by Walter Wilder and Harry White, the capitol building stands as a testament to the state's history and governance, attracting visitors from across the country and around the world.
Olympia has served as the capital of Washington since 1853.
Washington State Capitol (Legislative Building)
The Washington State Legislative Building in Olympia features one of the tallest masonry domes in North America, rising 287 feet above the capitol campus. The building is constructed from Wilkeson sandstone and sits on a landscaped campus designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the renowned landscape architecture firm. Its interior features a spectacular Tiffany chandelier weighing over five tons hanging in the rotunda.
U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Notable Features
- One of the tallest masonry domes in North America at 287 feet
- Five-ton Tiffany chandelier in the rotunda
- Campus designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm
- Wilkeson sandstone exterior
- Cenotaph honoring unknown soldiers on the grounds
- Views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains
Media Gallery
Original footage coming soon! User-submitted photos welcome.
Fun Facts & Trivia
- ★The Washington State Capitol's dome is 287 feet tall, making it one of the tallest masonry domes in North America.
- ★A five-ton Tiffany chandelier hangs in the rotunda, measuring 25 feet in length.
- ★The capitol campus was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park.
- ★Olympia is named after the nearby Olympic Mountains, which are visible from the capitol.
- ★Washington is the only U.S. state named after a president.
- ★The legislative building was damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake and underwent a $120 million renovation.