Near Menlo in Pacific County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
1857
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2015
1. 1857 Marker
the first fort,
the first school, &
the first post office
in Willapa Valley.
We dedicate this marker
to the memory of
the pioneers who made
these things possible.
Willapa Chapter D.A.R.
1928
Erected 1928 by Willapa Chapter D.A.R.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.
Location. 46° 38.739′ N, 123° 39.684′ W. Marker is near Menlo, Washington, in Pacific County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Camp 1 Road, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 6. Marker is located at the north end of a large pull-out/turn-around on the south side of the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Menlo WA 98561, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willie Keil Grave (within shouting distance of this marker); Raymond Public Library (approx. 4.3 miles away); Pacific County Courthouse (approx. 7.2 miles away).
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Regarding 1857. A stockade was built by residents of the Willapa Valley in 1855 when fear of Indian attacks swept the Northwest. The site, now known as Giesy's Crossing on Highway 6, was at the north end of the valley and overlooked the Willapa River. Three small buildings surrounded by a stockade wall (with guard house on top) were built to protect the settlers. The time of fear passed and the fort was never used for defense purposes. Eventually the stockade fell into disrepair and the Giesy family built their home on the site. A post office was established at the fort April 29, 1858, and continued until December 7, 1870, when the office was moved to Woodard's Landing
Also see . . . Willapa. Revisiting Washington website entry (Submitted on November 1, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 19, 2015
2. 1857 Marker (wide view)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 369 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
