Jefferson Street Artesian Well and Yashiro Japanese Garden

For years the Olympia Brewing Company's slogan, "It's the Water," attested to the pure taste of the artesian water used to brew their Olympia Beer. Today you can still access that water at a parking lot near the corner of Fourth and Jefferson Streets in the historic Theater District of the state of Washington's capitol city of Olympia.


There are a few "15 minute artesian water parking" spaces next to a simple pipe coming up out of the asphalt. Some large blocks of concrete protect it from bad backer-uppers and such type drivers. A seemingly endless stream spills out unimpeded and at a rate whereby the steady stream of people can quickly fill up their various size containers. The overflow drains away through a grate below.

Just down the street at McMenamins Spar Café there is a water fountain at the front entrance serving  the same artesian water they're using in the basement to brew their beer. It didn't taste as good at the parking lot water, which was colder and therefore more refreshing. Plus the old water fountain looks kinda disgusting....

...Like these old urinals still in use at McMenamins saloon and former brothel, the Olympic Club Hotel in Centralia, Washington pictured here. The lady's room has a blurry-eyed selection of faucets. Draw your own conclusions.

And on another topic: the Yashiro Japanese Garden in Olympia. On a cold rainy day, I had the place to myself.