Ellisforde in Okanogan County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Old Okanogan Mission
Photographed by Mark Teshera, February 18, 2025
1. Old Okanogan Mission Marker
In the fall of 1885 Fr. Etienne de Rouge, S.J., recently ordained, found standing a small primitive cabin left by his predecessor, Fr. Urban Grassi, S.J. This cabin marked a favorite meeting place of the Okanogans. They called the site "Schall-Kees" meaning "Bend in the River. As the grave markers indicate, this cemetery was an Indian burial ground as early as the 1880's. Fr. Etienne de Rouge, S.J., constructed a log chapel and later a church and school which were completed in 1888. This was the first school in Okanogan County. Fire destroyed this complex in 1910. In 1913 only the church was rebuilt on this site. This Mission Chapel stood as a landmark and as a symbol of the Christian faith of the early Indian inhabitants of the Okanagan country. The spire of this historical chapel stood as a sentry in the Okanogan Valley for more than sixty years until destroyed by fire on May 7, 1971.
To perpetuate the memory of this Indian Mission, the heirs of this rich tradition erected the present monument. The bell of the mission, which survived two fires, remains incorporated in this shrine.
Erected 1972.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities
this page online
Location. 48° 47.405′ N, 119° 23.877′ W. Marker is in Ellisforde, Washington, in Okanogan County. It is on Ellisforde Church Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 Ellisforde Church Rd, Tonasket WA 98855, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Okanogan Highlands. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Cascade Range, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: McLoughlin Canyon (approx. 10 miles away); Circle City (approx. 11.2 miles away); Okanogan Smith (approx. 11.8 miles away); Old Molson (approx. 15.7 miles away); The Molson School (approx. 15.8 miles away); The Story of Molson (approx. 15.9 miles away).
Photographed by Mark Teshera, February 18, 2025
2. Old Okanogan Mission Marker
Photographed by Mark Teshera, February 18, 2025
3. The "Indian burial ground" referred to on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Teshera of Oroville, Washington. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Mark Teshera of Oroville, Washington. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
