Near Walla Walla in Walla Walla County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Farming at the Waiilatpu Mission
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2020
1. Farming at the Waiilatpu Mission Marker
Captions: (top left) Whitman began with one plow and fifteen hoes. Eventually he cultivated the 40 acres in front of you.; (center) Thousands of split rails cut in the mountains protected crops from roaming cattle and helped Indians establish ownership of their fields.; (top right) The Whitmans planted apple trees the year they arrived, and eleven years later they had 75 fruit trees. The orchard to you left is a small restoration.; (bottom right) Many irrigation ditches, like the restored one to your right, increased the yield of crops. The Indians learned to dig similar ditches on their own.
The crops and livestock Marcus Whitman raised here fed his mission family. Hungry travelers found food for winter, and their payments helped to offset mission expenses. For the Indians, the farming methods Whitman taught were training for survival. Marcus knew that root gathering and hunting would not sustain the Cayuse after the white man settled their lands.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Churches & Religion • Native Americans.
Location. 46° 2.413′ N, 118° 27.906′ W. Marker is near Walla Walla, Washington, in Walla Walla County. Marker can be reached from Whitman Mission Road near Sweagle Road. The marker is located a Whitman Mission National Historic Site, south of the Old Oregon Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 328 Whitman Mission Road, Walla Walla WA 99362, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. November 29, 1847 (a few steps from this marker); Mission House (within shouting distance of this marker); The First House
this page online
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2020
2. Farming at the Waiilatpu Mission Marker
Photographed By Google maps, November 4, 2020
3. Overhead view of the Waiilatpu Mission grounds, today.
Note the building foundation's outlines.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
