Olympia, the capital city of Washington state, is known for its natural beauty and rich history. One of the most interesting stories about the city is how it got its name. Originally called “Smithfield,” the city was renamed “Olympia” in honor of the Olympic Mountains. In this article, we’ll explore the tale of local settlers and mountain ranges that led to the naming of Olympia, Washington.
The first recorded white settlement in the area now known as Olympia was made by Michael T. Simmons in 1846. Simmons, a Missouri native, was a member of the United States Exploring Expedition led by Charles Wilkes. After exploring the Puget Sound region, Simmons decided to stay and establish a permanent home in the area. He named his settlement “New Market,” but later changed it to “Smithfield” in honor of his father, who was a blacksmith.
Smithfield was a small but growing settlement by the 1850s, with a population of around 300 people. The town served as a supply center for the surrounding farms and logging camps, and it became a transportation hub with the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s. However, despite its modest success, the town was struggling to attract new residents and businesses.
In the early 1850s, a group of settlers from the Tumwater area came to Smithfield with a proposal to merge the two towns. The settlers believed that the combined community would be more prosperous and would have a better chance of attracting new settlers and businesses. The residents of Smithfield agreed to the proposal, and the two towns officially merged on November 21, 1853.
The new town needed a new name, and the settlers looked to the surrounding area for inspiration. The Olympic Mountains, which are located to the northwest of Olympia, were well-known for their natural beauty and grandeur. The settlers decided to name the new town “Olympia” in honor of the mountains.
The name “Olympia” quickly caught on, and the town began to thrive. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s brought new businesses and residents to the area, and Olympia became a hub of commerce and transportation. The town was officially incorporated in 1859, and it became the capital of the Washington Territory in 1860.
Today, Olympia is a bustling city with a rich history and thriving economy. The city’s name is a testament to the natural beauty of the Olympic Mountains and the vision of the settlers who saw the potential of the area. Visitors to Olympia can explore the city’s history at the State Capitol Museum and the Bigelow House Museum, or take in the beauty of the surrounding area at the nearby Olympic National Forest and Mount Rainier National Park.
The story of how Olympia got its name is a fascinating tale of local settlers and mountain ranges. The town’s original name, Smithfield, was changed to Olympia in honor of the Olympic Mountains, which have been a symbol of natural beauty and grandeur for centuries. Today, Olympia continues to thrive as the capital of Washington state, and its name serves as a reminder of the area’s rich history and natural beauty.
