Olympia Past Post: Heritage Park/ Capitol Lake

This park and lake have both a rich cultural and historical history throughout Olympia’s existence. Construction of Heritage Park and Capitol lake started with  Walter Wilder and Harry White’s capitol building plan in 1911 which meant to connect the capitol buildings and grounds with the city of Olympia, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. This plan included the areas that were to become Heritage park and plans for the creation of the Capitol lake.

Historical 1860s Olympia Picture

Capitol lake was created in 1957 when the Deschutes river dam was created. Heritage park w created in 1986 when construction began with White and Wilder’s images in mind.

Culturally, these places may seem  triumphant , stand for community, and patriotism. With the creation of these parks, an idea of longevity and pride can be seen. The settlers finally made it out west and were here to stay. The people stroll happily around the lake, the boulevards and yards are grand and awe inspiring.

However, for others, these parts may seem villainous, boastful, and destructive. Communities were forced to move with these constructions, the Deschutes river was damed and integral waterways were blocked off that once helped sustain life. The Native American’s land was filled with the images of western influence.

Picture: http://www.worldmapsonline.com/historicalmaps/kr-1879-olympia.htm

History of Olympia/ Timeline:

The area now know as Olympia was originally occupied by coastal Salish native tribes. In 1792, Peter Puget and a crew from the British Vancouver Expedition visited the area. In 1841, The U.S. Exploring Expedition came. Settlers officially claimed the city in 1850,  naming it Olympia. It was supported mainly by maritime commerce. The city was named the capitol of newly annexed Washington in 1853 by  Isaac I Stevens.

http://des.wa.gov/services/facilities/CapitolCampus/Parks/Pages/HerritageHistory.aspxhttp://olympiawa.gov/community/about-olympia/history-of-olympia-washington.aspx