Hard Times in Washington: Old State Capitol Fire
Photograph courtesy of the Washington State Archives
In September 1928, fire broke out on the 3rd floor of the old State Capitol Building, destroying the decorative, 150-foot-tall octagonal clock tower. Olympia and Tacoma firefighters quickly doused the fire out. The building itself was soon-after repaired, but the clock tower, deemed unsafe, was never replaced.
October is Washington Archives Month, and this year’s theme is Washington’s struggles and setbacks over the years and how the people of this state have overcome them.