Rochester, WA, located in Thurston County, is a small town that began to take shape in the 1850s. During the early days, it served primarily as an agricultural area, with its fertile soil supporting dairy, crop farming, and livestock operations. The community was initially known as "Ward's Prairie" and was later renamed Rochester, getting its name from a settler's hometown in New York. Over the years, Rochester has grown modestly while maintaining its rural character and serving as a home for people seeking a quieter lifestyle compared to the nearby bustling cities of Olympia and Centralia.