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In 1938, the Carlyon Bridge, or Capitol Boulevard Bridge, was completed in Tumwater. Originally, the cast-concrete totem
poles were plain concrete gray. But in 1951, Peter G. Schmidt typed a note on the back of this snapshot: “Totem pole at
Highway 99 made of concrete. There are two at each end of Bridge. Few people ever noticed them but I recently had
them painted (Olympia Brewing Company paid for it, altho I had intended to do it.) Now dozens of people stop, come
back and take photos of the Totems, which are very good and in their new bright colors are points of great interest and
remembered landmarks.”
Schmidt kept the totem poles painted in bright colors appropriate for Northwest Coast Native American art. In 1989, 4
when the bridge was rejuvenated, the totems were repainted in turquoise and pink. Perhaps the City of Tumwater can be
persuaded to restore the original colors when the bridge is next painted.
