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Tag: Washington Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens

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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Library jewels poll is open! Now vote!

Library jewels poll is open! Now vote!

With the voting period for the upcoming General Election just a few weeks away, you might be more than ready to let your voice be heard on something, anything!  Well, here is a chance to satisfy your voting jones in the meantime. The online poll for the September Library jewels is open. We’re featuring three rare or interesting items from the State Library.  Here are your three choices: 1)    An 1814 book on British possessions in North America 2)    A…

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Library jewel #3: Poem about former Territorial Gov. Stevens

Library jewel #3: Poem about former Territorial Gov. Stevens

Besides being Washington Territory’s first governor and a major factor in the creation of the Territorial Library in 1853, Isaac Stevens also was a brigadier general in the Civil War until he was shot and killed at the Battle of Chantilly in northern Virginia on Sept. 1, 1862. This poem about Stevens following his death is the third and final Library jewel for September. The poem was found in a Bible that was once owned by Hazard Stevens, son of…

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