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Tag: Washington Territorial Legislature

From the Archives: 1854 effort to help the `other’ George W. Bush

From the Archives: 1854 effort to help the `other’ George W. Bush

  (Image courtesy of Washington State Archives) For most people, the name George W. Bush automatically makes one think of our 43rd president and son of America’s 41st president. But for Washington Territory history buffs, this name conjures up a different man from a much earlier era. In 1845, George W. Bush, his wife, Isabella, and their five sons settled near Tumwater on what became known as Bush Prairie. Their party, which included Bush’s good friend Michael Simmons, were the…

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From the Archives: When Olympia was incorporated

From the Archives: When Olympia was incorporated

Part of the Territorial Legislature’s act incorporating Olympia. (Image courtesy of Washington State Archives) When you consider that Olympia was founded in 1850 and selected by Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens in 1853 to be the capital of Washington Territory, you might also assume that Olympia was incorporated as a town around this time as well. In fact, Olympia wasn’t incorporated until Jan. 28, 1859, when the Territorial Legislature did the honors. Part of the official act incorporating Olympia 155 years…

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April Archives treasure #2: First territorial law

April Archives treasure #2: First territorial law

Since our state’s Legislature finally passed an operating budget and finished its special session earlier in the week, it’s fitting that the second Archives treasure for April is a legislative “first.” In fact, it’s the first page of the very first law passed by the Washington Territorial Assembly, in 1854! The legislation established election procedures, created precinct boundaries, and defined who could vote. At the time, the right to vote was limited to “white male inhabitants at least twenty-one years…

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Washington’s lost county

Washington’s lost county

Some state history buffs might know this, but betcha most folks don’t: Washington actually “lost” a county during its territorial years. On January 23, 1863, the Washington Territorial Legislature created Ferguson County.  It encompassed what is now Yakima and Kittitas counties. However, no county government (not even a county seat) was established in Ferguson as there were less than 100 settlers living within its borders, and they didn’t see the need for a county government. (Go here to see a…

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Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 1

Countdown to the November 8th Day of Jubilation -Part 1

November 8th, 2010 – the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage in Washington – is fast approaching!  In order to keep everyone up to speed on the upcoming celebration – or jubilation – we are writing a series of 19 blog posts with information about the suffrage movement in Washington.  Do you have ancestors who were part of Washington’s women’s suffrage movement?  Tell us your stories!  The year was 1854.  Arthur A. Denny, a member of the first Washington Territorial Legislature, introduced an…

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