Near Lapwai in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Spalding Mission
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018
1. Spalding Mission Marker
Caption: (upper right) Plan of the Spalding's home and adjacent buildings, based on historical and archeological information.
Spalding Mission’s physical remains are sparse, but its impact was large and longlasting. Henry and Eliza Spalding were Presbyterian missionaries who came here in 1836 to convert the Nez Perce not just to Christianity but to a new culture.
The floor plan of these original foundations shows evidence of the Spaldings’ attempts to influence the Nez Perce life way.
In rooms added to their residence, the Spaldings taught school, boarded students, and operated a printing press that produced hymn books and primers in the Nez Perce language. The Spaldings left in the aftermath of the killings at the Whitman Mission. Henry returned in 1862 to teach at the agency school in Lapwai. Despite his long absence, he had already started some Nez Perce along the path to change.
Erected by Nez Perce National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.
Location. 46° 27.072′ N, 116° 48.921′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spalding Home Site (here, next to this marker); Indian Agency Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Site of the Lapwai Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Clearwater River (within shouting distance of this marker); Spalding’s Gristmill Canals (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lapwai Mission Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding (about 500 feet away); Spalding's Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lapwai.
More about this marker. This marker is located at Nez Perce National Historical Park, Spalding's Mission site.
Also see . . . The Spaldings Mission - Nez Perce National Historical Park. The site near Lapwai Creek was cooler during the summer. With help from the Nez Perce, he collected logs and built a home that measured thirty-two feet by twenty-two feet. Over the next ten years, the small modest structure that was built in 1838 gradually expanded to encompass a host of activities that occurred at the mission. (Submitted on August 14, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018
2. Spalding Mission Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 14, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
