Coupeville in Island County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Cross Built for Father Blanchet's Visit
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021
1. Cross Built for Father Blanchet's Visit Marker
On May 28, 1840 Father Francois Norbert Blanchet came to Ebey's Landing, from his Cowlitz Mission. The visit was in answer to a request by Chief Tslalakum to come and teach his people the new religion.
He was received with great joy by the natives. He was amazed when the Indians knew the hymns and prayers that he had taught their chief the previous year. More than 400 natives, from various local tribes gathered to learn from this "Blackrobe." The Skagits, Snohomish, Skokomish and Clallams were present.
The ministry was climaxed when the Indians brought and erected a 24 foot cross, which was then blessed by the priest. All of the Indians then "prostrated themselves and venerated it." It stood until the early 1900s, when a renter pulled it down and used it as a fence post. It was later recovered and stored in the Alexander blockhouse until it was again erected in 1915.
The upright piece of this cross is a portion of the original; the crosspiece was added later.
Erected by Island County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1840.
Location. 48° 13.258′ N, 122° 41.315′ W. Marker is in Coupeville
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keeping the Alexander Blockhouse alive!!! (a few steps from this marker); In Home Port After Eight Decades (within shouting distance of this marker); A Canoe Crossroads (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Highways (within shouting distance of this marker); Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Explore the Reserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Home of Seattle’s Best Coffee (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coupeville.
Also see . . . Island County Historical Museum. Historical Society website homepage (Submitted on August 11, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021
2. Cross Built for Father Blanchet's Visit and Marker
via Oregon Encyclopedia, unknown
3. Francois Blanchet (1795-1883)
Encyclopedia website entry
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Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on August 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
