The Elks Building stands in a prime location at the edge of Sylvester Park, facing both the Old Capitol and the former Hotel Olympian across the central town square. It was built in 1920 as the meeting hall of the Olympia Elks, Capitol Lodge 186. Local architect Joseph Wohleb, a lodge member himself, dressed up the building's red brick façade with fashionable accents of blue and cream glazed terra cotta.

American actor Charles Vivian, national founder of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, visited Olympia in 1872. Inspired by his ideas of fraternal philanthropy, local men founded a brotherhood they called the O'Shanty Club. In 1891 O'Shanty members helped organize an official Elks lodge in town. Early Brother Elks were primarily state officials, and membership rose and fell along with political fortunes.

The Capitol Lodge dedicated its new meeting hall on June 26, 1920, the same weekend that the nearby Hotel Olympian made its debut. More than 5,000 people in jovial spirits - most of them Elks from out of town - turned out for the joint celebration. Olympia lodge members used the Elks Building until 1958, when they moved to new quarters (now demolished) overlooking Capitol Lake.

In 1988-89 the Elks Building was extensively renovated and its top two floors converted into apartment space. As part of that renovation, the fabulous art glass canopy that originally sheltered the Elks Building entrance was faithfully restored.

The Elks Building is located on the west side of Capitol Way between Legion and Seventh Avenues. It is listed on both the National and State Historic Registers of Historic Places, as well as on the Olympia Heritage Register. The building is open to the public.

Elks Building. Olympia Heritage Commission photo.

Elks Building in the center of the block. Ellis Postcard from a private collection.