Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-05-17
THURSTON COUNTY.
Some Interesting Facts Concerning
this Fertile Region.

The first settlement OF Thurston county
was made in 1915 by party headed by
the sturdy Michael T. Simmons, who cut
their way through the woods from the
valley of the COwlitZ, and in October
camped on the banks of the Deschutes,
called by the Indians Tumwater.
Thurston county is rich in resources of
minerals, timber and agricultural lands.
The rich bottom lands of the Nisqually
river, lie along the eastern line of the
county gradually rising toward the west,
felm prairie on the east side of the river
is about five miles long by two wide.
Chambers prairie lies about four miles
southeast of Olympia. while Hawks
prairie, Tenalquot prairie and Bush
prairie lying in the middle and southern
portions of the county are all of similar
size and quality. Mound prairie, the
largest in the county is about fifteen
miles long and two wide. 1t derives its
name from a large number of mounds
scattered over its whole surface and a
central one rising to the height OF one
hundred feet. Twenty feet above the
base of this mound is a large spring of
water, pure and clear which fertilizes
the broad rich fields. Lying between
and around these prairie lands are mag
niticent forests of timber, through which
run many streams that never fail.
The prairies furnish grazing at all sea-
sons and the bottom lands rich fields for
cultivation. The soil of the uplands
after the timber is cleared away, yields
rich returns to the horticultural.
Along the valley of the Deschutes
which empties into Budd's Inlet at
Olympia many settlers have in the past
few years found fine homes and rich
farms. Some wheat is raised in this
county and its quality is good, often ex-
ceeding from five to nine pounds the
standard weight of a bushel. Let it be
remembered that at the Centennial ex-
hibition at Philadelphia, wheat raised in
this county of Thurston, took the prize
in competition against the world.
Other grains such as oats and rye yield
heavily and are source of profit to the
farmer. Vegetables and fruit are in
their element, in places the soil seems
specially adapted for root crops, being
very rich, and near the Sound fruit trees
are entirely protected from frost by
the effect Of salt water. 1t is a singular
fact that trees here as well as on other
portions of the Sound often bear the
second year after planting out. Straw
berries grow pr0fusely, and will un-
doubleday become a staple export and
profitable product in the section of
country, lying about the head of Budds
Inlet.
Blooded stock is being imported and
requires increasing attention. The eli
mate is favorable and soil rich to pro-
duce abundance of grass, timothy is the
staple for hay, but two crops Of clover
have been grown in one season on one
piece of ground.
The county is gradually settling up
and resources being developed, so that
chances are offered to those seeking
homes, which can certainly be made to
prove profitable.
In the year 1850, the town OF Olympia
was plated by Sylvester, and so called
by him in honor of the Olympic range OF
mountains. Olympia was made capital
of Washington in February, 1854, under
the presidential administration of Pierce
1t is situated at the head of navigation,
occupying the most beautiful and only
natural townsite in Western Washington,
sitting like queen at the head of Puget
Sound, and appearing to be monarch of
all she surveys"
1t has population Of $500 souls, and
is the center of large amount Of trade
from the fertile valleys which surround
it.