Lewiston in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Spalding's Mission
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016
1. Spalding's Mission Marker
Marcus Whitman and Henry Harmon Spalding led Presbyterian Missionaries West in 1836 to answer a Nez Perce call for teachers.
Spalding began his mission and school nearby, but moved here in 1838. Believing in secular as well as religious teaching, he taught the Indians irrigated farming, brought in the Northwests first printing press, and built saw and flower mills. But hostility slowly developed, and Spalding left after the Whitman massacre at Walla Walla in 1847. He returned with the gold rush to labor among his converts until his death in 1874. His grave is nearby.
Erected by Idaho Historical Society & Idaho Transportation Department. (Marker Number 111.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 46° 27.141′ N, 116° 49.101′ W. Marker is in Lewiston, Idaho, in Nez Perce County. It is on U.S. 12 2 miles east of U.S. 95, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in a scenic pull-out overlooking the Clearwater
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Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho Idahos Panhandle and in the Palouse. It is also in the American Mountain West, specifically in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Clearwater River (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spalding Home Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spalding Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spaldings Gristmill Canals (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indian Agency Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Lapwai Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lapwai Mission Cemetery (approx. Ό mile away); Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding (approx. Ό mile away).
More about this marker. Large wooden marker in good condition
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016
2. Spalding's Mission Marker (wide view)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016
3. view of Clearwater River east from Spalding's Mission Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2016
4. view of Clearwater River west from Spalding's Mission Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 7, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
