Near Walla Walla in Walla Walla County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The First House

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2020

1. The First House Marker

Inscription. Winter was approaching Old Oregon. Marcus Whitman, having selected this place for a mission, began work on a shelter. In December 1836 he brought his bride, Narcissa, to the crude house he had partially completed at this site. It was the beginning of the Waiilatpu (sic) Mission.

Narcissa was pleased: "We...found a house reared & the lean-to enclosed, a good chimney & fireplace & the floor laid. No widows or doors except blankets. My hear truly leaped for joy as I alighted from my horse, entered and seated myself before a pleasant fire (for it was now night). It occurred to me that my dear Parents had made a similar beginning & perhaps more difficult one than ours."

Flooding caused Whitman to abandon this site two years later. He built the new Mission House on higher ground to you right.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 2.393′ N, 118° 27.89′ 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 at Whitman Mission National Historic Site, on the old Waiilatpu Mission grounds.

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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. Alice Clarissa Whitman (a few steps from this marker); Mission House (within shouting distance of this marker); November 29, 1847 (within shouting distance of this marker); Farming at the Waiilatpu Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmiths Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Grist Mill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Oregon Trail Wagon (about 400 feet away); Emigrant House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walla Walla.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 14, 2020

2. The First House Marker

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 95 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.