Squaxin Island Tribe

Inhabited by the Squaxin Island Tribe. The Squaxin ancestors, named it Steh-Chass. 

The Squaxin people continue ongoing stewardship of these ancestral lands, and continue to call themselves “People of the Water” 

Black Settlers ARRIVE

Colonization and Formation of Washington Territory and Olympia

The broader arrival of settlers led to dispossession of Indigenous lands. Olympia was established as a segregated town in 1850

racially restrictive covenants begin

In the early to mid-20th century, many neighborhoods implemented racially restrictive covenants that legally barred African Americans from buying or renting homes.

The first racially restrictive covenant in Washington was written in 1923. 

Redlining 

Redlining became a widespread practice where banks and insurance companies would refuse to lend to Black individuals or those in predominantly Black neighborhoods. This led to a lack of investment in these communities, exacerbating poverty and limiting economic opportunities. 

Redlining practices in Washington state began in the 1930s and continued into the 1970s

Olympia Brewery

The Olympia Brewery acted as an epicenter for the town of Tumwater. Everyone in town knew someone who worked there or worked there themselves. 

When the brewery closed, it ended a connection point. Paul Roberts reflects on how the community is not as close knit now. "The brewery had provided the glue to our community."

Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement fosters momentum for Black folks of Thurston County to organize and advocate together for equal rights and policy change. 

The assassination of D. Martin Luther King in 1968 was a catalyst for White Allies to also join in the efforts, specifically around open housing and school desegregation.

Influence of Military and State Jobs

Affirmative Action requirements led to integration of military bases and recruitment for state government jobs. 

This was a primary impetus for the in-migration of Black folks to the Thurston County area, many of these folks becomes the first Black people that the White residents had interacted with.

Open Housing Ordinances

The community of Thurston County organized and passed open housing ordinances in many cities even before the Federal Fair Housing Act was passed later in 1968.

In the mid 60's, there were few Black folks in Thurston County largely because of redlining and discrimination in housing. After the murder of Martin Luther King, community coalitions started to organize around getting fair housing ordinances passed in their cities. 

Fair Housing Legislation

After the Fair Housing Legislation in 1968, Black folks became adept at supporting each other through navigating the benefits of the new policy.

Despite a predominantly White demographic and segregation, Black families persevered and excelled at their work, and navigated housing discrimination through Black community networks and support from allies.

Rapid Growth of Olympia Area

With the rapid growth of Thurston County, Black folks started many thriving businesses that met the needs of their communities, and often became thriving establishments and gathering places.

the evergreen state college

Evergreen College opened as an innovation hub. Black staff helped curate a curriculum to "unshackle our educational thinking from traditional patterns." 

The college made welcome many students of color, and the unique collection of creative thinking faculty and staff became advocates and organizers in the community as well as in the school.

New Life Baptist Church

New Life Baptist was founded by a group of friends and the Reverend Henry O'Marshall as the first Black church in the area. 

The church filled a deep need for a culturally affirming place of worship for the growing number of Black folks in Thurston County. It remains a vibrant hub of community, ministry and service programs to this day.

Influence of Military Jobs

An influx of Black folks came to Thurston County around 1986 due to a shutdown of several military bases in Germany and California. 

A large number of those military families settled in Thurston and Pierce Counties. This demographic change was a time to celebrate. More Black folks were seen working in positions of authority. 

Thurston County Black Historical and Cultural Society Centennial Event

Cora Pinson, Barbara O'Neill, Carletta Taylor Garraway, and Dr Thelma Jackson collect and exhibit histories of Black folks in Thurston County at the 1989 County Black Historical and Cultural Society Centennial.

Their exhibit was a first attempt to gather stories of local families and the area's more recent Black History.

Diversified Population

By the 90s and into the 2000s, Thurston County has seen rapid diversification, population growth and development. 

The Evergreen State College brought many Black professors and staff, with their families. This has pulled many people of color to the area, as well as growth in the military bases. From the 50s to now, the county is almost unrecognizable to the folks to came in the early years. 

River Ridge High School 

River Ridge High School opened in 1993. It was and still is the state-of-the-art comprehensive high school in the northeast area of the county where a predominance of Blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans, and Asian immigrants reside. 

It represents what a multicultural multiracial neighborhood school should be!

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matters protest in response to the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and disproportionate police violence affecting Black communities.

During the 2020 Black Lives Matters protest in response to the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the focus for the Rebecca Howard Park site shifted from housing to healing to provide a safe place for community members to find peace, connection, and belonging.

Juneteenth 

Olympia’s first annual Juneteenth celebration is organized by Shawna Hawk and the Women of Color in Leadership Movement to support the development of the Rebecca Howard park.