Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Sentinel Rock

The čičməhán Trail Stop 13

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021

1. Sentinel Rock Marker

Inscription. After signing the 1855 Point No Point Treaty, it was clear that there had been some misunderstandings, and the federal government was failing to follow through on its funding promises. Some of the Tribes of Washington rose up against what they saw as illegal seizure and occupation of their ancestral territories. Many S’Klallam discussed joining these efforts. čičməhán (Cheech-ma-han) saw white settlement as inevitable and maintained friendly relations with the newcomers in hopes of peaceful co-existence. Positioning himself at Sentinel Rock, he agreed to alert the white settlers as to whether they were safe or should prepare for battle. After nine days of Tribal meetings to decide whether to attack at Port Townsend, the final day he threw off his blanket and gave a great "whoop," indicating that the Indians had decided not to attack.

A bronze plaque was installed near Sentinel Rock in 1937 by the Lucinda Hastings Parlor No. 1 of the Native Daughters of Washington. In 1996, the city installed a sculpture of Chetzemoka [čičməhán] by Dick Brown, depicting the Chief throwing off his blanket to indicate that the danger had passed.

Erected 2019 by Native Connections Action Group of the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe,

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Peace • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Čičməhán Trail, Port Townsend, Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 48° 6.984′ N, 122° 46.498′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Scott Street. Marker and Sentinel Rock are near the Port Townsend Golf Club parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1948 Blaine St, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chetzemoka (here, next to this marker); Chief Chetzemoka (here, next to this marker); qatáy Prairie (within shouting distance of this marker); Kah Tai Prairie Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson County Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); World War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Civil War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Fire Bell Tower (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . . čičməhán Trail (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe). (Submitted on August 18, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Sentinel Rock and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 2, 2021

2. Sentinel Rock and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 626 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 18, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.