THE STATE NICKNAME
"The Evergreen
State"
On November 11, 1889, Washington became the 42nd state to enter the Union. It is the only
state named for a president. Washington was nicknamed "The Evergreen State" by
C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle Realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forests.
The nickname was adopted by the Legislature in February, 1893.
THE CAPITOL BUILDING
The present state capitol building in
Olympia, Washington was first occupied by the Legislature in March, 1927. The design is
reminiscent of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It is also closest in design to the U.S.
Capitol in Washington, D.C.
THE STATE SEAL
In 1889, jeweler Charles Talcott designed our first state seal using an ink bottle, silver dollar and a postage stamp. Talcott's brother, L. Grant Talcott, lettered the words, "The Seal of the State of Washington, 1889," and his other brother, G.N. Talcott, cut the printing die.
THE STATE FLAG
The state flag and the state seal are similar. Passed in 1923, Washington law describes the flag as having dark green bunting with a state seal in the center. In the late 1890s, a blue and gold military state flag with George Washington's profile on it flew over many cities and towns throughout the state. But, when it came to a final decision, the current flag was adopted by the Legislature.
THE STATE MOTTO
"Al-ki" or
"Alki"
Al-ki or Alki is an Indian word meaning "bye and bye." This motto first
appeared on the territorial seal designed by Lt. J.K. Duncan of Governor Steven's
surveying expedition. On one side it pictures a log cabin and an immigrant wagon with a
fir forest in the background; on the other side, a sheet of water being traversed by a
steamer and sailing vessel, a city in perspective; the Goddess of Hope and an anchor is in
the center. The figure is pointing at the significant word "Alki." According to
Professor Edmond Meany, settlers from the schooner "Exact" first named their
settlement on Alki Point New York. The new settlement was slower to grow than its East
Coast counterpart however, so the name was changed to New York-Alki, meaning New York, bye
and bye.
THE STATE BIRD
"Willow Goldfinch"or
"Wild Canary"
The goldfinch is a delicate bird with a yellow body and black wings, and although it
eventually became the official state bird, many other birds were considered for the title.
In 1928, legislators let school children select the state bird and the meadowlark won
hands-down. It was a nice choice but seven other states already had chosen the same bird.
A new vote was taken in 1931, many birds were nominated, but the goldfinch won handily
over the tanager, song sparrow, junco and pileated woodpecker. Now there were two state
birds and the Legislature decided to leave the final choice to school children. In 1951,
children voted for the goldfinch and the Legislature made it unanimous.
THE STATE DANCE
"Square Dance"
On April 17, 1979, the square dance became the official Washington state dance.When the
pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, which means
square in French. The dance is known for its series of figures and footwork. Dancers are
directed by a caller. It is easy to learn, a good form of exercise and fun.
THE STATE SONG
"Washington, My Home"
The state song, "Washington, My Home," was written by Helen Davis and became the
official state song in 1959. But, like the goldfinch, it had some stiff competition from
another popular song. Back in 1909, "Washington Beloved" was adopted, sort of,
by the Legislature. Professor Edmond Meany, the historian, wrote the words and Reginald de
Koven, who also wrote "O Promise Me" and other operettas, wrote the music. But
this song was never formally introduced as a bill and so was not part of the state's code
of law. When a state senator from South Bend introduced a bill in 1959 to make
"Washington, My Home" our state song, it was approved unanimously.
THE STATE FOLK SONG
"Roll On, Columbia, Roll
On"
In the early 1940s, the federal Bonneville Power Administration produced a movie
encouraging rural residents in the Pacific Northwest to electrify their homes and farms
with the power being generated by the newly-built Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams on the
Columbia River. As part of the project, BPA hired folksinger Woody Guthrie at $270 for 30
days to write songs for the movie. Guthrie wrote 26 songs, the most popular of which was
"Roll On, Columbia, Roll On", an ode to the harnessing of Washington's mightiest
river. It was approved as the official Washington state folk song in 1987.
THE STATE FRUIT
"The Apple"
Washington is the nation's top apple-producing state, so it is appropriate that the apple
was named a state symbol in 1989, the centennial year. A favorite fruit around the world,
the apple comes in many different colors, sizes and varieties. From the beautiful blossoms
of spring, to the heavily laden branches in autumn, the apple trees of Washington
represent one of the largest industries in the state. The Washington apple is certainly
one of the most recognized symbols of the state worldwide.
THE STATE TREE
"Western Hemlock"
In 1946, an Oregon newspaper teased Washington for not having a state tree. The Portland
Oregonian picked out the western hemlock (Tsuga Heterophylla) for us, but Washington
newspapers decided to choose their own and selected the popular western red cedar. State
Representative George Adams of Mason County pleaded with the Legislature to adopt the
western hemlock. The hemlock, he said, would become "the backbone of this state's
forest industry." Adams' bill was signed into law in 1947.
THE STATE FLOWER
"Coast Rhododendron"
In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast
rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted a flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the
1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Six flowers were considered, but the final decision was
narrowed to clover and the "rhodie," and voting booths were set up for ladies
throughout the state. When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as
the Washington state flower.
THE STATE GRASS
"Bluebunch
Wheatgrass"
While many state symbols are readily identifiable with the western part of the state,
bluebunch wheatgrass is a state symbol that is unique to eastern Washington. Bluebunch
wheatgrass was a blessing to Washington's pioneer farmers and continues to play a major
role in our agriculture industry today. Adopted in 1989 as the official state grass.
THE STATE SHIP
"President
Washington"
In 1983, the "President Washington" was proclaimed the official state ship, and
is the first container ship to be adopted by a state. The 860-foot vessel is one of the
largest container ships ever built in the U.S. and has a 43,000 horsepower diesel engine.
The 23-foot propeller weighs 98,000 pounds! The ship's route on the Pacific Ocean expands
the geographical advantage of trade shipping between Washington State and Pacific Rim
countries.
THE STATE GEM
"Petrified
Wood"
The geological history of our state has encompassed many great changes, one of them being
the many lava flows from volcanic fissures. Centuries ago, the interior of Washington was
swampy and mild with many trees such as cypress, oak, elm and gingko growing in wet areas.
Layers of logs were preserved with each new lava flow, and as the layers grew deeper, many
of the logs became waterlogged and lay protected in deep water. Over time, water continued
to seep through the lava and permeate the wood with silica. Eventually, the wood fiber was
replaced by silica thus petrifying many logs. The petrified wood is perfect in form and
detail to the original wood.The best place to see petrified wood is the Gingko Petrified
Forest State Park in Vantage. In 1975, petrified wood was adopted as the state gem. .
THE STATE FISH
"Steelhead
Trout"
The steelhead trout is an anadromous fish, meaning it returns to fresh water rivers to
spawn. The scales of the steelhead shine flecks of silver with a gray spotted back from
head to tail and a white belly; the two colors separated by a hint of opalescent pink.
Steelhead trout is one of the most popular fish for recreational fishing, a major industry
in Washington State. The steelhead trout was adopted by the Legislature as a state symbol
in 1969.
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©1996-1997-1998-1999-2000 Clifford F Howard
