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Historic Olympia Documents
Town Presidents, 1859-1871
Mayors, 1872-1924
Commissioners, 1925-1982
Councilmembers, 1982 to present  

Historical Chronology

Olympia was named the capital city of Washington Territory on November 28, 1853. Incorporation as a Town occurred on January 28, 1859 by act of the territorial legislature.

INTERIM APPOINTED BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Act of Incorporation provided that an election of officers should take place on the first Monday of April each year. Article 8, Section 1, also designated an interim Board of Trustees to serve until the first election.

Members of the interim Board of Trustees for the Town of Olympia appointed by Act of the Territorial Legislature were George A. Barnes, Joseph Cushman, Elwood Evans, T. F. (Thornton Fleming) McElroy, and James Tilton. At the first meeting of the interim Board on February 12, 1859, Cushman was appointed by his fellow trustees to serve as Chairman, and on February 24, 1859, he was elected by his fellow trustees to serve as President of the Board of Trustees until the election in April.

Editor Note:
See documents below for a copy of the Act of Incorporation (Charter).

FIRST ELECTED BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The first election of Town of Olympia Board of Trustees was held April 4, 1859. At the organizational meeting of the first elected Board on April 14, 1859, Elwood Evans was selected by his fellow trustees to serve as Town President for the year. George A. Barnes was selected to serve as Treasurer.

Editor Notes:
- Article 3, Section 1 of the Articles of Incorporation, Town of Olympia, states that "a general election for all town officers of the corporation required under this act shall be held on the first Monday in April of each year."
- Article 4, Section 1 of the Articles of Incorporation, Town of Olympia, states that "the members of the Board of Trustees shall annually elect one of their members President of the Board of Trustees, who shall hold office for one year or until his successor shall be elected and qualified."

MAYOR: According to the City Official Directory for the Year 1904 compiled by then Clerk V. A. Milroy (see Documents section below), the Office of Mayor was created November 11, 1873 which replaced the President of the Board position.

However, in official Town Minutes maintained by the City of Olympia Clerk's Office, W. W. (William Winlock) Miller is shown by the Clerk as being elected "in a municipal election" to the position of "Mayor" on April 1, 1872, and again on April 7, 1873. Town Minutes for officer elections prior to 1872 refer to the position as Town Board "President," and the appointment to that position was from within and by the Trustees.

Editor Note:
From the Minutes, it appears that W. W. (William Winlock) Miller was the first person elected by the citizenry to the position of Mayor in Olympia. See documents below for copies of Officer selection/election Minutes, April 12, 1871 and April 3, 1872.

CITY INCORPORATION: In 1882, the Town of Olympia incorporated as the City of Olympia. The elected officials consisted of the mayor and six members of the "Common Council of the City of Olympia."

COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERMENT: On November 16, 1925 the City government was changed to a three-member elected commission composed of the Mayor, Commissioner of Finance, and Commissioner of Public Works. The Commission began with three 3-year terms that were increased to four year terms in 1950.

COUNCIL-MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT: On May 18, 1982, the voters of Olympia approved the Council-Manager form of government. A new 7-member City Council was elected on November 2, 1982 and assumed office on November 18, 1982. The first meeting of the newly elected City Council was November 23, 1982. The Mayor was selected by the Councilmembers for a two-year term in January of each even numbered year.

In 1991 the voters approved the selection of the Mayor through election by the citizens, rather than through appointment by the Council. The Mayor is elected to serve a 4-year term.

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• Act to Incorporate (Charter) the Town of Olympia, Washington, adopted by the Washington Territorial Legislature, January 28, 1859
• First Town of Olympia Board Minutes, February 12, 16 and 24, 1859
• Town Board Minutes, April 14, 1859 - Selection of Officers for first elected Town of Olympia Board of Trustees
• Town Board Minutes, April 12, 1871 - Selection of Officers by Trustees (editor note: appears to be last year when a Town President was selected by and from within the Board of Trustees)
• Town Board Minutes, April 3, 1872 - states that W. W. Miller was duly elected Mayor in a municipal election on April 1, 1872 (editor note: appears to be first direct election of an Olympia Mayor)
• Directory of City Officials (1859-1904) published in 1904

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Source of documents: City of Olympia Archived files maintained by the Olympia City Clerk's Office Source of documents: City of Olympia Archived files maintained by the Olympia City Clerk's Office

Presidents of the Board of the Town of Olympia, WA
1859 - 1871

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Mayors
1872-1924

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City of Olympia Commissioners
1925-1982

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City of Olympia Mayor and City Council
1982-present 

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