Look up the top 10 things to do in Olympia, Washington and you will see that visiting Washington State Capitol is among the top few. I had never looked up that list and never really planned that trip. But we did see a part of the Capitol.
We had been to Seattle a couple of times and on those drives north on Interstate-5, we had always caught sight of the top of a building that was crowned with an elegant dome. One time, we decided to take the exit near that sight and follow the directions to the Washington State Capitol. And that time, we saw much more than just that dome.
The dome continued to be the most prominent feature of the many structures in the premises of the Capitol. And I must say that Washington State Capitol seemed to have the touches of a Greek or Roman temple with that dome, tall pillars and all.
It was a Spring evening. The people who worked at the Capitol and the visitors to the Capitol seemed to have called it a day. So we only got to see the outside of the building. And wasn’t it impressive!
The names behind this picturesque building are Walter R. Wilder and Harry K White, both, architects from New York. The history of this building states that this design by Wilder and White won the first prize in a design-contest conducted by the Washington State Capitol Commission. It is said that this one topped a list of 32 other designs for the Capitol. That was in 1911.
An information board near Washington’s Capitol says the original design was a plan for six buildings for the Capitol. According to the information on it, ‘Work on the Capitol buildings began in 1911, with the fifth building completed in 1940. The sixth building, intended for the western edge of the campus was never built.’
The board also goes on to say that the Capitol in Washington ‘is among the last examples in an era known as American Renaissance and City Beautiful.
A quick tour around Washington State Capitol–
Since it was Spring when we were there, there was a lot of colour around these buildings. The beautiful gardens around the Capitol were sporting all kinds of flowers from Cherry blossoms to daffodils. Even the evening-sky and the late-evening-light that bathed the area were such beautiful sight. I have so many pictures of them that I could do a couple of posts on the flowers and the light.
The main building of the Washington State Capitol faces the Capitol Lake that looked very lovely that evening. That too, in another post.
What do you think about these buildings?
Linking to
Looking for other trip ideas in the area?
Look up our Pacific Northwest category
Awesome pics.
Thank you, Murthy. 🙂
Impressive. Going on a road trip to WA state next week. Don’t have a set itinerary; don’t know if we’ll see this.
Worth a Thousand Words
Oh! that’s nice. Best time to go that side.
The Pacific Northwest is so much greener than it is here. Have a great trip.
If you have plans to visit the Capitol, try to go when its doors are still open. I hear it’s beautiful inside too. 🙂
Thank you for coming this way, M. 🙂
Good one 🙂
Thank you, Joshi. 🙂
Magnificent structure! Loved the architectural style and enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing!
It IS a magnificent structure. 🙂
Thank you for coming this way, Antonina. 🙂
Excellent photography.
Thank you so much, Jyotirmoy. 🙂
Impressive architecture!
I liked the outline against the grey skies.
It is. I’m so in love with that dome. 🙂
Thank you, Indrani. The sky was beautiful that evening. 🙂
I must say, you got a very nice camera. Captures the depth to the full extent. Impressed.
😀
Thank you, Kaustubh. 🙂
These buildings are magnificent! Kind of reminds us of ancient Greek structures!
I swear they are.
The influence is very evident, right?
Thank you, girls. 🙂
Isn’t there a fountain nearby?
I don’t recall a fountain. But I did see a statue that was in the middle of a roundabout, which could be mistaken for a fountain. Or was it a fountain; I’m scratching my head now. 😀 Let me go see if I have a full picture of that statue. I was saving it for a post on the evening light there that day. 🙂
Stately buildings against wonderfulful skies!
I swear. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by, Rajeev. 🙂
Splendid capture Divya, and this was the first city I had visited on landing in NYC on my first international trip:) All the memories come rushing in!
Thank you, Mr Bhatia. 🙂
Was that Washington DC?
This is the Capitol in Olympia, the capital of Washington (State) on the West Coast. 🙂
The beautiful domes that some of the Capitol Buildings have, can make them all look alike. Such beautiful structures!!
I’m so glad this post brought back memories. 🙂 I hope you are having a lovely week.
Wow! So nice! All the pictures are beautiful.
Hi Renuka,
Nice to see you here, again.
Thank you so much. 🙂 The building was beautiful and the sky was also quite a sight that day. 🙂
Amazing tour of the place.
🙂
Thank you, Rajesh.
Splendid pictures and mindblowing architecture 🙂 Your photography skills are simply superb !:)
Yeah, that’s quite a building.
I wish I’d seen the inside of the building too. 🙁
Thanks guys.
Beautiful buildings, well captured!
True, that.
Thank you, Magiceye. 🙂
The dome looks so magnificent …lovely photos
It sure does.
Thank you, dear Ranjana. 🙂
Majestic building! Its architectural details have inspired so many creators of other structures around the globe. One example – Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation building 🙂
It sure is.
I swear this style of architecture is such a visual treat.
I’m going to go look up the Municipal corporation building in Mumbai, now. Thank you, Antonina. 🙂
Make sure to look up the one in Navi Mumbai, because in Mumbai it’s a different one – A British heritage building in Indo-Saracenic style (I really love it, by the way). The one in Navi Mumbai is a modern building of glass and metal, but it was still constructed with the Capitol in mind.
Thank you for coming back to help me with that, Antonina. I had a look at the building. It’s a got a modern touch to it and still manages to be impressive. ?
Thank you for sharing that sight with me.
I hope you are having a good week. ?
I was not able to post on the awsome life guard towers post as this box was missing. It was a treat to see the art in those pics!
Those are some nice pieces of art. And I thought it was a great idea to have some sealife painted on to lifeguard towers.
Thank you so much, Rajeev — for letting me know about the comment box. I didn’t realize it was gone. I’ve made the changes in the setting, now.
Thanks again. 🙂