MAKING SENSE OF OLYMPIA

Strange flyers

This photo was taken in Grand Mound on June 1, 2024.

This photo was taken in Grand Mound on June 1, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken in NW Olympia on Sept. 12, 2024.

This photo was taken in NW Olympia on Sept. 12, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Yelm Food Co-op on Dec. 9, 2024.

This photo was taken near Yelm Food Co-op on Dec. 9, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on April 29, 2000.

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on April 29, 2000.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 23, 2018.

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 23, 2018.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken behind TEXC modular housing laundry in Oct. 23, 1993.

This photo was taken behind TEXC modular housing laundry in Oct. 23, 1993.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 27, 2018.

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 27, 2018.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on July 14, 2000.

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on July 14, 2000.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near downtown Olympia on May 2, 2025.

This photo was taken near downtown Olympia on May 2, 2025.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

Posted Wednesday, May 7, 2025 3:15 pm

This photo was taken in Northwest Olympia on March 18, 2025.

This photo was taken in Northwest Olympia on March 18, 2025.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

By David Scherer Water

You can learn a lot about this area from bulletin boards and telephone poles.

Because the greater Olympia area is home to a disproportionate number of over-educated creative types, many of our flyers are silly.

Some are works of art.

Some are works of difficult-to-gauge satire.

I’ve been recording this “local literature” for the last three decades.

Here are a few samples for your edification and bewilderment.

This photo was taken in Northwest Olympia on March 18, 2025.

This photo was taken in Northwest Olympia on March 18, 2025.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken in Grand Mound on June 1, 2024.

This photo was taken in Grand Mound on June 1, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken in NW Olympia on Sept. 12, 2024.

This photo was taken in NW Olympia on Sept. 12, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Yelm Food Co-op on Dec. 9, 2024.

This photo was taken near Yelm Food Co-op on Dec. 9, 2024.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on April 29, 2000.

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on April 29, 2000.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 23, 2018.

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 23, 2018.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken behind TEXC modular housing laundry in Oct. 23, 1993.

This photo was taken behind TEXC modular housing laundry in Oct. 23, 1993.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 27, 2018.

This photo was taken near Saint Martin's University on Sept. 27, 2018.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on July 14, 2000.

This photo was taken near Tumwater Lanes on July 14, 2000.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

This photo was taken near downtown Olympia on May 2, 2025.

This photo was taken near downtown Olympia on May 2, 2025.

Courtesy of David Scherer Water

David Scherer Water explores absurdity in local culture through the lens of comedic nonfiction. He is the author of a history book and this column. Both have the same title. Discover more of his work here.

Comments

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Snevets

Thank you for this! I Love these especially the Fog, maniac and tobacco ladies.

Thursday, May 8 Report this
coordinator

Just stupid. Uneducated people, posting stupid. Stop.

4 days ago Report this