Four Lakes in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Battle of Four Lakes
December 7, 2003
1. Battle of Four Lakes Marker
On this historic ground, Sept. 1, 1858, 700 soldiers under Col Geo. Wright, U.S.A. routed 5,000 allied Indians.
Four days later, the rallied hostiles were decisively defeated in a running battle. They sued for mercy, and have ever since maintained lasting peace.
Erected 1935 by Spokane County Pioneer Society, Medical Lake Commercial Club, and Four Lakes Grange.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1860.
Location. 47° 33.705′ N, 117° 35.778′ W. Marker is in Four Lakes, Washington, in Spokane County. It is on S. Electric Ave. near West 1st Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Four Lakes WA 99014, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Spokane. It is also in the American Mountain West 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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain Donovan "Don" Keith Walters (approx. 4 miles away); Captain Donovan "Don" Keith Donovan (approx. 4 miles away); Lucy Friedlander Covington (approx. 5 miles away); Patriot Tree Dedication
this page online
Regarding Battle of Four Lakes. In order to punish the Indians who humiliated and defeated Colonel Steptoe in August 1858, Colonel George Wright led a force of 700 men from Fort Walla Walla into Spokane Indian territory. Wright's troops were equipped with long-range rifles, which enabled them to shoot the Indians from long range. When the allied indians attacked in force on September 1, 1858, their usual hit-and-run tactics were ineffective because of these new guns. Their almost suicidal attacks on the Army column cost the Indians many warriors; the Army lost none.
The "allied indians" referred to on the marker was a force made up of indians from the Coeur d'Alene, Palouse, and Spokane Tribes.
Also see . . . Four Lakes and Spokane Plains Battles. A brief, but detailed history of the Battle of Four Lakes. (Submitted on November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,018 times since then and 102 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 29, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
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