Landmarks dot Seattle’s landscape but only one sheltered presidents, celebrities and well-to-do travelers during most of the 1900s, becoming the city’s social hub and the Grand Dame of its hotels.
That landmark is The Olympic, known today as the Fairmont Olympic. Built in 1924, it has a history that parallels Seattle’s own travel through time, a fact that attracted Alan J. Stein when he was asked by her owners to write a book celebrating her 80th anniversary in 2004.
“In researching the hotel’s history, I discovered that the Olympic is a great lens in which to view Seattle history,” says Stein, a staff historian with HistoryLink.org, the free online encyclopedia of Washington state’s history. “So many of the city’s big events have had some connection to the hotel, that a timeline of Seattle matches up quite well of a timeline of the Olympic.”
Stein will share The Olympic’s story from 10:30 a.m. to noon April 9 at the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, located at 16600 N.E. 80th St.
Located where the University of Washington first stood at University Street between 4th and 5th avenues, the hotel was made with the purpose of giving Seattle a world-class refuge for travelers. Starting with Herbert Hoover, virtually every U.S. president and presidential candidate have occupied the Presidential Suite, according to HistoryLink.org. Overnighters have included Charles Lindbergh, Bob Hope, John Glenn, Jimmy Hoffa, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and more recent celebrities like Eminem and Norah Jones.
“The Olympic is a well-loved landmark that has played a part in so many people’s lives,” Stein says. “People really enjoy hearing stories about some of the famous people who have stayed in the hotel. Also, so many local people have stories to share about events they’ve attended there – conventions, parties, dinners, etc.”
The Saturday Speaker Series is a monthly program presented by the Redmond Historical Society on every second Saturday (with the exception of June, July, August and December). Topics range from local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest. There is a suggested $5 donation for non-members.
The Redmond Historical Society is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that receives support from the City of Redmond, 4 Culture, Nintendo, the Bellevue Collection, Happy Valley Grange as well as from other donors and members.
