Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-03-15
OLYMPIA. WASHINGTON TER.
FIIDiY EVENING, MARCH Is. 1889
General View o. Olympia.

AS OlympiA is now becoming a CEN
ter of attraction for the capitalist and
home-seeker, brief description OF
what is acknowledged to be the hand
soonest city on Puget Sound may not
be inappropriate and, indeed, quite ac-
ceptable to these abroad into whose
hands the paper may fall. The city,
or town as it would he called east Of
the Rocky Mountains, is situated at
the head Of Budd's Inlet, the extreme
southwestern limit of the great Sound
which possesses $500 miles of shore
line The site is on a level point or
peninsula, which rises gradually from
the beach to an altitude Of nearly 100
feet at Capitol Hill, about mile from
the shore. From that point on to
Tumwater, another mile distant, the
ground is very level. On the east side
of Budd's Inlet, from Fourth street to
Priests Point, there is moderate rise
from the beach to a distance OF say
half a mile, and then begins level
plateau. On the west shore precipi-
tous rise of about 40 feet at the beach
line places one on a gradual ascent for
half a mile, when the level surface is
again found. All the surroundings OF
Olympia, except on the north, where
the bay constitutes the environme mt,
was heavily timbered, much OF which
still remains. The hills on either side
the bay abound with springs of pure
cold water, and Nozzle creek on the
east and the Deschutes on the south
ern boundary will afford an unlimited
supply for city of million inhabit-
ants.
The view of Mount Rainier, from
Westside, and of the coast range OF
mountains from almost any point Of
view in the city, is unsurplssably
grand and awe-inspiring. A view OF
the latter, especially at sunset, when
the golden tints change to purple
haze and the shadows lengthen from
the rugged declivities, casting long
shafts of darkness over the fringe OF
tree-tops that seem to belt the horizon.
has been pronounced by tourists equal
to the famed scenery Of Italy. The
view down the bay with the broad
sweep of shore-line and Squaxon
Island in the dim distance, forms a
perspective that would tempt the pen
ell of the masters. The picture given
in this issue, which embraces but q
small portion of the city, will give a
faint idea of the beauty of our harboI
approaches.
Olympia undoubtedly possesses the
best harbor on Puget Sound. At the
Westside dock there is always . sui.
ficient depth of water for the largest
vessels to approach within few hun
dred feet of shore. The bay is several
miles wide, and for tho distance Of
twelve or fifteen miles cons flutes q
land-locked harbor, where vessels may
find excellent anchorage, unexposed
to winds from any part of the compass
There are no reefs or sunken rocks to
endanger navigation, and the depth Of
water at low tide is far beyond the re-
quirements of the largest vessels.
The soil in close proximity 10 Olym-
pia il . rich clay loan, adapted to the
gsowth of all fruits and flowers, garden
or farm products, that grow 80 lux
uriantly in this mild and equable
climate. Our producers have attained
quite an enviable reputation for large
yield and excellent quality Of fruits
raised here, notably the apples, pears
cherries, plums and prunes, and the
smaller fruits, such as currants, straw
berries, gooseberries, and rasp and
blackberries. A very small portion o.
the land il, however, under cultivation
in tho immediate vicinity OF town
while many Thousands Of acres, Dor
dering ON the many bays, beautifully
located and perfectly adapted to frui
culture, are at present unimproved
and can be bought At from go to 81
per acre. The cost Of clearing thes'
tracts would cost from $50 to 500 pc
acre, including the planting If frui
trees, but after they arrive at maturit.
single crop would pay the full out
lay. There is never total failure Q
any crop in Washington Territory
and the soil seems to actually grov
better from the cultivation Il man,
crops, such As cerealf, which rapid
exhaust 20 many Of the Eastern soil'
The country is likewise remarkabl
free from insect or parasitic enemy :
vegetation. Experience has show
that the cultivation of small tracts, c
from five TO ten acres near town, hav
given better results than many-acre
farms in the interior. Several Of GU
old-time citizens have earned q com
potency BY the production Of garde1
truck" and fruit, and although tn
former industry is now mainly in tn
hands of Cinnamon, the prices PAL
for vegetables would pay an excelen
profit to those who choose to conduc
their operations in . systematic mar
ner.
Olympia will be the nearest distribu'
ing point for an immense area 9
agricultural products sooa - the land
are broken and improved mean
have been provided for marketing tn
product. The Chehalis valley is "iirs
cousin" 10 Budd's Inlet, and Levi
county will be by no means distan
relative when the family circle is com
pleted. These are two cf the mos
fertile and progressive agriculture
districts in the Territory.
In this article We have had onl,
space to allude in general terms Il
the more salient features OF Olympi,
and her Surroundings. In futur'
articles we will give a more specific