Third Avenue in Longview in Cowlitz County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

1852 Monticello Convention

Birthplace of Washington Territory

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

1. 1852 Monticello Convention Marker

Inscription.
On September 30, 2006, this old black walnut tree, and this site were commemorated by Leona Kallwick, the City of Longview, the State of Washington and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Erected 2006 by City of Longview, State of Washington, Mary Richardson Walker Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Events • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 46° 6.936′ N, 122° 54.781′ W. Marker is in Longview, Washington, in Cowlitz County. It is in Third Avenue. It is on Tennant Way (Washington Route 432) west of Frontage Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is between the railroad tracks and Marine View Drive. It is near the Cowlitz River and is visible from the roadway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Tennant Way, Longview WA 98632, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Washington State.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

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and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oregon Trail (approx. 2 miles away); Mary Richardson Walker (approx. 2.1 miles away); To the memory of (approx. 2.1 miles away); Public Library (approx. 2.1 miles away); Ezra Meeker First Home Site (approx. 8 miles away); Oregon Trail 1844 (approx. 8 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 11 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longview.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Monticello Convention held here, 1852 (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Robert A. Long (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been permanently removed); Deer Island (was approx. 12.9 miles away in Oregon but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding 1852 Monticello Convention. The black walnut tree was planted circa 1852 by Arthur Burbank on the farm of H.D. Huntington in historic Monticello. At Monticello, 44 pioneers

Text on the back of 1852 Monticello Convention Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

2. Text on the back of 1852 Monticello Convention Marker.

held the Monticello Convention in 1852 and petitioned the US Congress to split the Oregon Territory, through United States bill HR348: “A bill to establish the territorial government of Columbia” (50th Congress, 2nd Session, 1851). The region had been known as the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department/District, but Rep Richard H. Stanton, of Kentucky, later proposed “Washington” to help avoid confusion with the District of Columbia! Washington Territory became Washington state in 1889. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and on a local historic register in 2003. It is, arguably, the most famous tree in Washington State and has survived the 1867 flood that destroyed Monticello, the 1962 Columbus Day storm, and vandalism.

2006 dedication by the Mary Richardson Walker DAR Chapter. image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of DAR archives.

3. 2006 dedication by the Mary Richardson Walker DAR Chapter.

Wide-angle view of the 1852 Monticello Convention Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

4. Wide-angle view of the 1852 Monticello Convention Marker

The historic black walnut tree is on the left.

Back of the 1852 Monticello Convention Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

5. Back of the 1852 Monticello Convention Marker.

The historic black walnut tree is to the right. Note the railroad and roadway in the distance.

Cowlitz river behind the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, September 29, 2024

6. Cowlitz river behind the marker.

Note the train passing on the other side of the river.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 5, 6. submitted on October 9, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.