Olmstead Place is located 4 miles east of Ellensburg on North Ferguson Road in Kittitas County, just off Interstate 90.

Acreage

217.8 acres.

Acquired

Olmstead Place State Park was donated to Washington State Parks by Clareta Smith and Leta May Smith on September 1, 1968. Adjoining areas are the level farmlands of the Kittitas Valley. Ownerships adjacent to the park are mostly private.

Historical Background

Olmstead Place is a good example of pioneer agriculture in the State of Washington. This farm was homesteaded in 1875 by Samuel Bedient Olmstead, a descendant of a founder of Hartford, Connecticut. Homesteading at this location was influenced by the presence of Coleman Creek, which provided the water necessary for irrigation. Another inducement was the close proximity of Squaw Creek Trail, a supply route to Seattle and Portland. Beef cattle were raised on the farm until 1892, when a Jersey dairy was established. Crops from the farm included wheat, oats and hay.

Several historic buildings remain standing at Olmstead Place. Perhaps the most impressive is the original log cabin built in 1875. It was constructed of cottonwood logs from the Yakima River Canyon. The cabin is furnished with articles used in pioneer days by the Olmstead family. Other historic buildings include the dairy barn and granary, both built in 1892; the wagon shed built in 1894; the red barn for storing hay built in 1908; and the Olmstead family house built in 1908.

Facilities

Homestead cabin, Olmstead residence, manager's residence, red barn, dairy barn, Olmstead garage, granary, wagon shed, chicken house, pumphouse, Seaton Cabin School House, tool shed, milk house, brooder house, woodshed, garage. Residence, pumphouse; 4 display sheds, 17 picnic sites. A concrete and wooden plank bridge crosses Coleman Creek. Altapes Creek interpretive trail, 3/4 mile. Approximately one mile of roads.

Coleman Creek provides scenic values and fishing. Park visitors may walk 3/4 mile interpretive trail; tours are given of Homestead cabin, red barn, tool shed, Seaton Cabin School House, equipment sheds. School field trip program available.

Activities

Annual Threshing Bee Event, public tours of grounds and facilities, Annual "Springtime on the Farm/Easter Egg Hunt" event, and other special events.

Courtesy of Washington State Park and Recreation Commission