, 1891-11-13
A Concise Review of
the Present and Fu~
ture of the Capt.
tai City.

Olympia's progress has not been fast,
but it has been marked and its people have
shown spirit Of enterprise that is lack
ing in much larger cities. 1t is not neces-
sary toreyiew the past. The present tells
the tale. Twenty years ago its people
were assured that the Northern Pacific
would run its trains into this city but the
inevitable took them around to Tacoma,
and the growth and prosperity which that
city now enjoys is what Olympia looked
for. Disappointed but not disheartened
our people were bound to have a railroad,
and each Thursday, which was termed
"field day." the merchants, lawyers, pro
tesslonal men and every body put aside
their regular business and with pick and
shovel cheerfully and energetically work
ed away until road bed was completed
The housewives and daughters were on
hand too and prepared dinner which was
disposed Of with more relish than many a
Christmas fare. The county was bonded
to purchase the rails and rolling stock and
when the first engine ran over the narrow
gauge road that connected Olympia with the
Northern Pacific at TIE nino, there was
more rejoicing manifested than when the
overland trains Of the Northern Pacific
came putting into the city nearly twenty
years after. The people didn't seek the
railroads after that, but in the last few
years steady growth has taken hold of
the city, which has entirely transformed
1t from an easy going, quiet place of 5000
to busy, bustling city of $500, with rail
roads at its door, and the hum of industry
within. The change which has marked its
appearance within the last two years is al
most incredible. Streets have been opened
and Egraded, sidewalks laid railroads and
bridges built and dwellings and business
blocks erected in every section of the city
Within two years more than 5000 1000 have
been expended for street Improvements,
and nearly l 100 new buildings have been
erected The total cost of imposing
brick and stone business blocks aggregate
over $3,00o,000. The growth of fruit for
canning and shipment as an industry
is one that affords the most aIIuring in
ducements.
The climate is temperate-itis not tropi-
cal, hence corn is not staple, but grows
finely for use as a green vegetable. Sweet
potatoes also need more intense heat, but
with these exceptions every variety Of veg
etables thrive. Potatoes are particularly
fine, as well as turnips, beets, carrots, pars-
n1ps, peas, beans, cabbages and snow white
caulihower.
The city of Olympia contains an excel
lent collegiate institute, two public school
houses unexcelled in architectural beauty
in the state Of Washington. Nature has
indeed been generous in her gifts to Thurs
ton county, and especially SO as to the re
gion of peace and plenty, Of which the
prosperous city Of Olympia is the hub.
Nesting in the heart of such rich and
favored surroundings, and her interests
and welfare carefully guarded by shrewd
and wide-awake citizens, it goes without
saying that the Capital City will go ahead
and mayhap become one of the greatest
trade centers and shipping points on the
Pacific slope.
In this necessarily brief article we have
endeavored to convey to the reader an idea
Of the location, surroundings, resources
and prospects of Olympia and district. We
now beg to call attention to review OF
the leading institutions, most prominent
mercantile houses and representative in.
dustries of the city.