RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES OF -OLY^/[F^I.f^= AND Thurston County, STATE OF WASHINGTON. PUBIJ8HED BY AUTHORITY OF THE OLYMPIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. r'^rrr OLYMPIA, WASH.: W. CROSBY ii CO., - - - PRINTERS. 1898. T^U F2i ■> T5 T/iURSTON COUNTY In presenting to the intending settler the claims of Thurston County upon his consideration, it is the purpose of the writer of this pamphlet to give facts. To deal in exaggeration for a temporary advantage would be poor policy and against the best interests of the very section that we wish to build up. We are not prepared to promise a Utopia to those looking for new homes, but we do propose to briefly describe a section in the grand new commonwealth of Washington where Nature stands ready to offer rich reward for industrious, energetic and practical people. Thurston County is situated in about the geographical center of Western Washington, and is possessed of as many and varied re- sources as any of the richly endowed counties of Washington. It has a shore line of about 100 miles bordering upon Puget Sound, which at this point ramifies into various bays and inlets, designated upon the maps by various names, but which, in fact, are but con- tinuations of this wonderful body of water. Topography. The topography of the county is extremely varied, the western portion being traversed by the Black Hills, a spur of the Olympic range of mountains. These hills are covered by magnificent for- ests of the best quality of timber; single sections producing from twenty to forty million feet. When the timber is removed' the land is particularly adapted to fruit growing, while the valleys consist of first class agricultural lands for the production of cereals, hops, small fruits, hay and root crops. Numerous streams, lakes and prairies diversify the surface of the county, which generally presents an expanse of gently rolling hills intersected by streams and diversified with prairie lands of considerable extent, and ex- haustless forests. The water courses are the Des Chutes, the Nis- qually, the Skookumchuck, Scatter, Black and Chehalis rivers, with RESOURCES OF THURSTON COUNTY. their tributaries, along the banks of which are small fertile valleys, flats and stretches of bottom land, where agriculture may be profit- ably carried on, and fruit and vegetables, hay and wheat raised in luxuriance. The Logging Industry. A large area of the county is wooded, with fir on the uplands, and cedar, oak, maple, ash and alder on the level tracts, and with this vast quantity of marketable timber at hand, with the advan- tage of deep water in close proximity, the manufacture of lumber, of which there are cut about fifty million feet annually, becomes a leading industry of the county. Horticulture. As the lands have become cleared and brought under cultivation, fruit growing has become a promising industry in Thurston County. THURSTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE. Protected on all sides from sweeping blasts by high ranges of hills, the atmosphere tempered by the warm salt air from the Japan cur- rent, which through the numerous arms of Puget Sound penetrates far into the interior of the county, safe from seasons of protracted drouth, fits a country where all the conditions exist for successful fruit culture. It is but a comparatively short time since the won- derful possibilities in this direction were discovered, but the peo- INDUSTRIES OF OLYMPIA. pie have become aroused to the importance of this industry and within the past five years not less than 500,000 fruil trees have been planted in the county, which number will be annually in- creased. The young trees are now entering their bearing period, making an immediate demand for evaporators. Investments in this line now will in a short time yield handsome profits. The immense markets opening up in the north for dried fruits and evaporated vegetables make this a most promising industry at this time. The prune, cherry, quince and certain varieties of apples and pears reach perfection here, and failure of crops is practically unknown. The possibilities in small fruits is some- thing worth considering. The humidity of the climate in this sec- tion renders artificial irrigation unnecessary. All that is neces- sary to secure bountiful crops is cultivation and well directed effort. Fish, Oyster and Clam Industries. Another resource which bids fair to excel even our timber is our fisheries. The wealth of a Klondike lies hidden in the placid water of our bays. The waters of Puget Sound, which indent the northern coast of Thurston County, teem with excellent varieties of fish, such as salmon, sardines, smelt, candle fish, flounders, sole, salmon trout, sea bass, perch, herring, rock cod, tom cod, ling, etc. In these waters is also found the native Olympia oyster, which, while small, is possessed of a peculiarly delicious flavor. Clams, too, are found in great varieties, ranging in size from that of a fifty cent piece to the enormous proportions of twelve pounds each. Crabs and shrimps are abundant. The business possibilities offered by these industries is almost illimitable. Next to lumber, these products of the waters of the Sound have in the past been the greatest source of revenue to the people here; and in the future, together with the fruit industry, now being rapidly developed, must be a source of great profit to the people of this section. To a casual observer, it would appear that the fish or oyster business had not reached the proportions which our claims for them would seem to justify. If this is in a measure true, it is due to many causes, each in itself suflicient to retard growth. First, lack of advertisement and ignorance of the possibilities by those possessed of the means to properly develop it; second, lack of transportation facilities for reaching populous BESOURCES OF THURSTON COUNTY. centers; third, lack of satiBfactory legislation for the protection of the industries. All of these retarding elements have been removed, and nothing now stands in the way of rapid and profitable develop- ment. The propagation of the Olympia oyster extends over an area cov- ering 50 miles of shore line, though but a fraction of the area possible is as yet utilized in oyster culture. No great outlay of capital is required to develop the oyster industry, but strict atten- tion to business and indefatigable effort will be richly rewarded. The immense run of salmon in the waters of the Sound furnishes a great and very profitable product. What is not shipped fresh, in cold storage, is consumed in canning or is smoked, which latter method furnishes a most palatable article of food. The following statement of the business of an average month will give a concise idea of the output of oysters, clams and fish from Olympia: Value. 90 tons oysters $6,600 00 25 tons clams o50 00 8 tons lish ... 500 00 123 tons $7,650 00 Those who have visited and estimated the sardine business of Maine may readily see the possibilities of our bay in supplying the world's demand for this staple product. The fishing industry is one of great present profit and offers an opportunity for investment of capital and labor with a certainty for great returns. Minerals and Building Stone. In the central and southern portions of the county are vast de- posits of blue and buff sandstone, which is fireproof and free from flaws and possesses great tensile and crushing strength. Three large (juarries have been developed and the products used in build- ings in the several cities of this state. Deposits of granite and limestone are to be found, but as yet remain undeveloped. In the southern part of the county are extensive veins of high grade lig- nite coal and at Bucoda a mine has been in operation for years, the product of which finds ready market on account of its good quali- ties. ■ INDUSTRIES OF OLYMPIA. Value of Taxable Property. Following are the values of taxable property in Thurston County as shown by the report of the state board of equalization for 1897: Valuation of land, incUiciing town lots exclusive of improvements 83,624,104 Valuation of improvements on land and town lots 512,528 Valuation of land and lots, including improvements 4,136,632 Valuation of personal property 754,833 Valuation of railroad truck. 626,354 Total value of real and personal property, including railroad track 5,517,819 Educational Facilities. A question of paramount interest to intending settlers is the matter of educational facilities and the status of the common school system in a new country. Thurston County in common with the whole State of Washington is most richly endowed in this respect. The last quarterly state apportionment of funds derived from all sources, including the interest on the permanent school fund, amounted to over a quarter of a million dollars, of which Thurston County's share was about $7,000. The last annual report of County School Superintendent Brintnall makes the following show- ing for the public schools in the county: Amount paid teachers f22,486 57 Amount for rent and other expenses 1,577 43 Paid for sites, buildings, apparatus, etc 520 25 Whole number districts in county 64 Number districts having school at least three months 61 Average number of months school was maintained 5.16 No. graded schools employing more than one teacher in same building 4 No. of children from 5 to 21 3,173 No. enrolled in public schools 2,654 No. of teachers employed 115 No. of school houses: Log, 4; frame, 53; brick, 3 60 Total seating capacity 3,560 No. of districts having no house 4 Average wages paid male teachers $34 90 Average wages paid female teachers 29 71 Total value of all school property 118,955 00 Miscellaneous Information. Population (approximated) 10,000 No. of acres land in county 470,000 No. of acres land taken up under various laws, including grants and reserva- tions 450,000 No. of acres land remaining to be taken up under laws of the United States.... 20,000 No. of acres granted lands for sale by the State of Washington 24,833 No. of acres granted lands for sale by Northern Pacific Ry. Co 71,105 No. of farms 542 No. of acres upland 20,000 No. of acres bottom land 55,000 No. of acrestimber land 300,000 BESOURCES OF THURSTON COVNTY No. of acres prairie land 42,000 No. of acres coal land 4,000 No. of acres mineral land 5,000 No. of acres under cultivation 20,000 The principal towns of the county are: Olympia, Tuin water, Te- nino, Bucoda, Little Rock, Gate City, Rochester, Rainier, Yelm and Maxfield. Tumwater, although maintaining a distinct incorporation, is, in fact, a suburb of Olympia, the county seat. Tenino lies near the junction of the Northern Pacific and Port Townsend Southern Railroads, fifteen miles southeast of Olympia and 119 miles northwest of Portland, Or. About three miles from Tenino lies Bucoda, and adjacent to these two towns lie the coal and stone deposits before referred to. Thus briefly stated are the industrial and commercial advantages possessed by one county in the State of Washington, so richly en- dowed. The advantages are not such as to justify one in coming without at least a little capital to bridge over the first few years, always the hardest in a new country. There is not a call for those looking for day's labor; the supply now equals the demand. But for the intending settler possessed of a little capital and consider- able energy, Thurston County offers a promising field for invest- ment of both. LOWEK FALLS, TUMWATKK. INDUSTRIES OF 01 AM PI A. OLYMPIA Olympia, the capital of the State of Washington and county seat of Thurston County, lies at the head of navigation on Puget Sound. It is one of the oldest towns in the state; the formal dedication of the town site having taken place in 1850. The classic name was suggested by the picturesque surroundings and the unsurpassed mountainous views to the north, where lies the Olympic or Coast range, and to the east, where towers Mt. Rainier to a height of 14,444 feet, all clad in a perpetual mantle of snow. The fact that although one of the oldest towns in the state, Olympia' s growth has not kept pace with that of some of her younger neighbors, may convey the idea that there is some insur- mountable obstacle to her advancement. Such is not the case. It was the object of the city's founders to locate as near as possible to the resources of the interior and still have deep water communi^ cation. The immense water power at Tumwater, two miles above the city, was also an inducement to locate the town at the extreme head of Puget Sound; and so situated, the site of Olympia was for years without railroad communication. This difficulty has now been obviated and communication has been effected by the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad, running through the town and extending to the Pacific coast. The Port Townsend Southern Railroad forms a junction with the Northern Pacific at Tenino and enters Olympia on the west side of the bay. It is proposed at some future time to extend this road down the west side of Puget Sound to Port Townsend, the port of entry. Besides these lines of transportation, traffic is carried on with down Sound cities by means of innumerable water craft. Harbor Facilities. That portion of Puget Sound, upon which Olympia is situated is properly called Budd's Inlet, a land-locked body of water offering a safe and commodious harbor. The disadvantages of mud flats near town at extremely low tide have been greatly obviated by dredg- RESOURCES OF THURSTON COUNTY. ing, for which purpose of harbor work the general government an- nually appropriates liberal sums of money for permanent improve- ment. About three fourths of a mile beyond the line of flats the water increases in depth until it attains an average of fifteen feet at Priest's Point, a little over a mile below the city. Here the bay is 4,000 feet in width. The Des Chutes river empties into Budd's Inlet, and the possibilities for a fresh water basin at the south end of the inlet, for a nominal expenditure of money, makes it highly probable that such an improvement will be accomplished at no dis- tant day. Climatic Conditions. Olympia in common with the whole of Western Washington en- joys a mild, equable and remarkably salubrious climate. During the past winter (1897-8) there has been snow at two different times, not to exceed a depth of one-half inch in either instance and lasting but a few hours; there has been little frost, and ice has barely formed on small bodies of water. Though during the win- ter considerable rain has fallen. This is by no means an excep- tional winter here. Thunder storms and electrical disturbances rarely occur; bliz- zards and hurricanes are not known, nor indeed are they possible, owing to the topography of the country and the heavy timber. The seasons rotate from year to year without startling changes of atmosphere. The United States weather bureau reports show the following averages for fifteen years: January .... February .. March April May June July August September. October November. December . Averages., v,!! -1 .1! 3^ 3g 11 r 5 i §■ 37.5 49 24 38 55 19 44 65 27 49 74 30 55 83 34 59 87 39 62 89 42 62 85 43 57 78 40 50 68 31 44 58 27 41 56 22 50 70 31 8.3 7.2 5 3.4 2.4 1.4 .76 .76 4.6 6.5 9.5 4.4 With such climatic conditions it is apparent to a casual observer that the city could not be otherwise than healthy. No severe epi- demics ever exist, and the death rate is abnormally low. INDUSTRIES OF OLYMPIA. Schools and Churches. The public and private schools of Olyrapia are of a high order. There are four graded schools in the city and the public high school. Three of the city school buildings are built on practically the same plan as the Lincoln school house, a picture of which ap- pears in this pamphlet. The buildings are so situated as to be con- venient to each section of the city. Besides the public schools, the Catholics maintain the Provi- dence Academy, an excellent school for girls and young ladies, and St. Martin's College for young men, located about four miles east 1,INC01,.~1 .SUllUOl, llOL.Sl:.. of town, and beautifully situated. This College is under the direc- tion of the Benedictine Fathers, is now an excellent school, and promises to become one of the leading educational institutions of this young state. Good educations are within the reach of all residents of Olympia. Almost all the religious denominations are here represented, and the city contains many handsome and comfortable houses of wor- ship, including the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Congrega- tional, Christian, United Presbyterian, Catholic, Unitarian, Epis- copalian. The moral tone of the city will compare favorably with 10 BESOURCES OF TEIJRSTON COUNTY. any of the eastern towns of like size and relative commercial im- portance. With school and church interests so well advanced, little additional evidence is needed of the law abiding character of our citizens. From a Commercial Standpoint. The subjects treated above give some idea of the desirableness of Olympia as a place ot residence aside from commercial considera- tions. In discussion of the latter particular we will attempt to give a concise idea of Olympia' s advantages. What has been said of the county applies with additional force to the city. It is not advisable to come to Olympia looking for employment without a little means to assist one in making it. It does not require a great amount of capital to gain a foothold, but that little is a necessary consideration. Were the enormous resources surrounding the city actually developed, they would give employment to a great num- ber of people, but many of these are hardly opened. Tumwater Water Power. The great desideratum of which this city stands in need is the better utilization of its splendid water power at Tumwater, a sub- urb of Olympia. The Des Chutes river flows through Tumwater and empties into Budd's Inlet at its southern extremity, two miles above Olympia. It rises in lakes at the foothills of the Cascade mountains, has a length of thirty miles and a volume exceeding eight thousand cubic feet per minute at the lowest summer stage. For a quarter of a mile above tide water the river rushes down a narrow, rocky can- yon, flowing over ledges of hard basaltic rock and makes a total descent of eighty-two feet to the Sound. This descent is broken into three falls of twenty-six, twenty-six and thirty feet, respec- tively. Comparatively little of this power is utilized. The middle falls supply the power for the electric lighting sys- tem of Olympia and Tumwater, and also for the street car line running from the east side of Olympia through its main street to Tumwater; also a fine flouring mill of the latest improved con- struction. A shingle mill, sash and door factory and other works are oper- ated by the lower falls. The Capital brewery is also located here. This latter, though a new enterprise, is producing an article of beer INDTISTRIES OF OLYMPIA. 11 that has already taken the lead in the Sound market and is being recognized as the very best produced on the Paci6c coast. No civil engineer could have designed a better work than was here done by nature, and there is every reason to believe that any capitalist who means to actually accomplish something will meet with good inducements from the owners and so secure one of the best water powers in the west, and, at the same time, one which possesses the supreme advantage of being located on a railroad and contiguous to a shipping port. Canneries and Evaporators Wanted. The immense amount of fruit which will be produced in this county from this time on, a quantity constantly increasing, beside MAIN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH. berries of all kinds, which are prolific in this vicinity, will render the establishment of canneries and evaporators necessary in the very near future. The recent gold discoveries in Alaska and Brit- ish Columbia are causing a vast emigration to those districts — all of that population are consumers engaged in other than pastoral pursuits — and open up a market at our very doors for the products of the canneries and evaporators. This new mining district is a vast empire of itself, but yet in the infancy of its development, and 12 RESOURCES OF THURSTON COINTY. will for years to come afPord a great and growing market for these products. Fish Canneries. The waters of Puget Sound abound in food fish of excellent quality. The salmon canning industry has grown to great propor- tions on the Columbia river and some portions of Puget Sound. Olympia possesses superior advantages in this respect for those seeking investment in this business. Also, experts have given it as their opinion that certain fish taken from the Sound in great quantities are sardines of a superior quality for canning. This is a business from which, by a small outlay of money, good results can be secured. Although 50 miles of shore line are devoted to the cultivation of the oyster, there still remains much more peculiarly adapted to this industry, which has already proved a profitable one and capable of illimitable increase. Lumber and Shingles. With renewed industrial activity, building materials are again meeting with a keen demand, and no part of this great lumber sec- tion offers advantages superior to the opportunities here found. The timber lies contiguous to the Sound in great quantities, and the business of logging is a source of more employment to the laborer than any other one industry now in existence here. The timber resources afford a special inducement for investment in shingle mills and all manner of manufacturing establishments hav- ing wood for the staple resource. Creameries. The climate, and fine natural pasturage which is good the greater part of the year, greatly favors the pursuit of the dairy business. The cool summer nights, the abundance of pure, cool spring water, the freedom from excessive heat in summer and electric storms, facilitates the production of butter and cheese. So far this indus- try has been almost entirely neglected in this particular section, except as an adjunct of the farm. These already mentioned are but a few of the industries which could be conducted here to advantage, and for which the natural resources necessary are at hand. A certainty of ultimate success awaits the investor. Probably no point in the state offers better INDUSTRIES OF OYLMPIA. 13 inducements. Sites may be obtained free or for a nominal charge, with abundant water and land facilities for transportation to the world's markets. Spurs from the Northern Pacific road reach the water front, where the Chamber of Commerce has secured certain tide land rights with a view to securing manufacturing sites. There are many opportunities at Olympia and in this vicinity for those seeking a new country and are willing to hold and utilize the advantages that present themselves. The weary years of waiting that the pioneer had to endure are past. Everything is now ready for rapid ])rogress and the field is an attractive one for capital and HOTEL OLYMPIA. labor. The country is now ripe for development. With the en- terprising spirit that is abroad in the west this region can hardly fail to progress rapidly now, even if there were no special reasons why it should have more than average prosperity. Besides those in operation at Tumwater the following enterprises are actively engaged on the water front of Budd's Inlet: A well equipped mill, owned by the West Side Mill Co., located on the west side. The East Side Lumber Co., on the east side, near which is lo- cated a shingle mill, turning out 120,000 shingles per day. Also a sash and door factory. 14 RI<:SOURCES OF THURSTON COINTY. These establishments are eligibly situated for securing the tim- ber necessary as well as for disposing of the products. Vessels engaged in the foreign and domestic trade frequently load here. OLYMPIA, The Permanknt Seat of State (Government. By an almost overwhelming vote Olympia has been chosen by the people of this state as the permanent capital. The general gov- ernment has endowed the state with 132,000 acres of land from the proceeds of the sale of which public .buildings at the state capital are to be erected. The foundation and basement of the state house, to cost $1,000,000, have been completed. Further work awaits future legislative appropriations. The site of the capital building is a magnificent one, naturally, and capable of great improvement by artificial additions. The building when completed will occupy a park twelve acres in extent on what is known as Capital Point, a conspicuous elevation extending into the bay, about midway be- tween Olympia and Tumwater. With a terraced descent to the water, which in time it is expected will be converted into a fresh water basin, the capitol grounds and building, distinctly visible for fifteen miles down the bay, will form a magnificent picture. Olympia is the permanent residence of the state officers, the sur- veyor general, and register and receiver of the United States gen- eral land office; is the meeting place of the legislature, the supreme court and numerous state boards; also the home of the state library, a splendid collection of about 50,000 volumes. From an aesthetic standpoint, Olympia is a desirable place of residence. The rugged mountain ranges and grand snow capped peaks form a part of the landscape from almost any point of view, and from no two points do they present exactly the same appearance. From Olympia the white mass of Rainier looms up against the sky to the eastward, and the Olympics to the northward. To the southeast Mt. St. Helens is the principal feature. But immediately around Olympia are many charming bits of scenery that interest all visitors, the chief one being the inlet at the head of which the city is situated. Its INDUSTRIES OF OLYMPIA. 15 deep clear water and the banks clothed with verdure in luxuriant variety the year round, its placid wildness, make a view that is rarely surpassed. The high banks are cleft by streams flowing down from the hills of the interior. There is boating and driving and hunting and fishing to suit the most fastidious or timid or the most daring. FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT. This is a city of fine homes and pleasant environments. Rents are cheap and the cost of living small. Dwelling houses that rent in adjoining cities at from |20 to $50 per month may here be leased at from $5 to $15 per month, and as a place of residence Olympia is incomparably ahead of all competitors. The business of the city is represented by about fifty establishments, embracing every branch of trade of a city of 4,000 inhabitants. Some of the stocks of the leading places of business are exceptionally full, and it is claimed that outfitting for the mines can be effected in Olympia at a rate ten per cent, lower than in the larger Sound cities. This is not surprising, for with the smaller rents and general expenses there is less demand and more necessity for close figuring than in markets where prices are sustained by a steady traflSc. COST OF LANDS. The inevitable reaction from the boom days of the early '00s, when real estate of whatever character was held at fabulous figures, is upon us, and now lands can be obtained at prices very reason- able and satisfactory to the purchaser. This land is all easily ac- cessible, either by water or good roads. The county roads are as a rule good and traverse the county to every point. The improve- ment in this regard in the past few years has been marked. 16 RESOURCES OF THURSTON COUNTY. HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. The Olyinpia Hotel is a handsome and commodious hostelry, three stories high, occupying a commanding position, and complete in every detail. As a rule, the hotels and private boarding houses in the city are good and living very reasonable. THE FUTURE, An era of industrial activity seems promised for the whole coun- try, an awakening from the lethargic condition resulting from a long period of financial and business depression. While this is true in a general sense, it is especially applicable to the extreme Northwest, which must directly feel the effects of the mining de- velopments of Alaska and British Columbia. In a concise way we have endeavored to put forth the claims of our particular part of a great state to at least a portion of the great tide of immigration looking toward the Pacific Northwest. We believe we can offer you the maximum amount of advantages for the minimum amount of capital. At least our claims are worthy your careful considera- tion. MT. HAINIER, 14,4-u iKi^i.