Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1921-08-05
Murst0n County Lakes
ZnDite Tourists

ly marked as leading to Black lake,
which nestles among the Black Hills
along the western boundary of Thurs
ton. Lake st. Clair, southeast of
Tn on Mills, is another lake that has
charm for those wiling to go out of
their way to seek the beautiful. There
are boats for hire and good swimming
is offered
On the Bald Hill road out of Yelm
several lakes are to be found There
is Clear lake and Bald Hill lake. the
latter being the furthes from
Yelm. There are many Clear lakes
in the state, most counties having one
body of water of that name and
ThurstOn having two Bald Hill lake
is half mile off the road, but the
angler will not mind the hike this
necessitates when informed that it is
reputed to contain more genuine cat
fish than any other body of water in
the state. Whether this report is
true or not, he will have to determine
for himself
Lawrence lake is west of Clear
lake. To reach it the driver must
turn west at the Grange hall, on the
Bald Hill road, southeast Of Yelm.
At Hicks lake there are camping
grounds, boats for hire, and the
Saledo hotel. Simmons lake is a
private resort
These are the main lakes of Thurs
ton county, and there are enough of
them to care for the camping require
Sound. Good water is to be found at
all Of them, there is plenty Of wood
for cooking and warmth, and those
who go to one of them to camp are
able to make themselves snug and
comfortable without great trouble.
Beautiful Priest Point
The special inducement that Olym-
pia offers to tourists is Priest Point
park, two miles from the city on
Puget Sound. A sign on the Pacific
highway at the foot of the hill, as one
enters Olympia from the east, points
to the road entering the park. Priest
Point park covers $50 acres. and IS
one of the notable public parks Of
the state. There is camping site for
tourists, with free wood and water,
electric lights and stoves for cooking.
There is bathing beach. boats are
available, playground has been
constructed for the children. and the
park is an all-around place of beauty.
1t attracts thousands of visitors each
year and is growing constantly in
popularity.
Buffers Cove is another camping
site on the Sound near Olympia. There
is excellent salt water bathing there
and camp site.
Thurston county is one of the old
est settled sections of Western Wash
ington. Tumwater, just out of Olym-
pia, is one Of the pioneer places on
Puget Sound. Quaint log cabins are
still to be found there. At Tumwater
falls, on the Des Chutes river, grist
mill was located in pioneer days. In
later times the beer that made Olym.
pia famous" was there manufactured.
but that is barking back to the days
before prohibition. The Des Chutes
river rises in the extreme southeast
end of Thurston county. and through
out its length 1t furnishes fair to very
good fishing. Anglers from Tacoma
hold the Des Chutes in high esteem.
Many Thriving Centers
Olympia as all know, is the state
capital. The new capitol group will
be erected on high ground above the
city and overlooking the Sound. The
Temple of Justice and the Insurance
building are already finished and oc-
cupied, and their white sides rise
nobly where one of the finest groups
Of state buildings in the nation will
ultimately be constructed. No state
will have a more beautiful site for its"'
capitol than Washington. Olympia
has a population Of 10000. 1t pos
sesses one of the best hotels In the
state and an Elks' club Of which its
citizenry is proud.
ThurstOn county itself has about
$4,000 residents and it contains nu-
merous thriving centers of industry
and trade.
Stages run through all parts OF
Thurston county, and various lines
from Olympia to Tacoma and Seattle
and other centers.-News Tribune.