Near Weippe in Clearwater County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Weippe Prairie
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018
1. Weippe Prairie Marker
This has always been a traditional gathering place for the Nez Perce people where camas bulbs are harvested and baked each year. The blue flower of the camas lily grow so thick here in the spring time that from a distance, it looks like you're driving up to a lake! Lewis and Clark made their first contact with the Nez Perce at this site in 1805, gorging on fresh baked camas roots and dried salmon. This is one of 38 sites of Nez Perce National Historical Park. Park headquarters is located at Spalding, Idaho, 1 1/2 hours west of here on Highway 95, just off of Highway 12. Follow the brown signs. At Spalding you will find a Museum, bookstore, movie on the Nez Perce people and a historic area. Special programs are conducted at the Visitor Center throughout the day during the summer months. Rangers are on duty at Spalding to answer your questions.
Historical and archaeological sites and artifacts, features and objects they contain are protected by federal law. Please help preserve these fragile and irreplaceable resources for future generations.
Do not collect of dig for artifacts
Do not disturb the soil, rocks, or artifacts
Metal detector use is strictly prohibited
Please do not litter
The
this page online
Erected by Nez Perce National Historical Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.
Location. 46° 21.004′ N, 115° 55.47′ W. Marker is near Weippe, Idaho, in Clearwater County. Marker is on Larson Road near Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weippe ID 83553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Contact Between Two Cultures (here, next to this marker); Corps of Discovery (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named First Contact Between Two Cultures (approx. 2 miles away); Lewis and Clark (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Weippe Prairie (approx. 2.2 miles away); "Handsome Small Prairie" (approx. 2.2 miles away); Fraser Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 6, 2018
2. Weippe Prairie Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer
3. Camas
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 16, 2018
4. Dried Camas Bulbs
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on October 30, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
