Enterprise in Wallowa County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Nez Perce
Oregon History
Photographed By Duane Hall, September 10, 2010
1. Nez Perce Marker
Inscription.
Nez Perce. Oregon History. Wallowa Valley, summer homeland of the Joseph Band Nez Perce, was part of the expansive Nez Perce Reservation established by the treaty of 1855. Upon discovery of gold in the region, the U.S. eliminated the reservation in the Wallowas in 1863. The Joseph Band held on until 1877 when, under pressure from increasing white settlement, they were ordered to abandon their ancestral homeland. Violent conflict ensued as the Joseph Band joined other Nez Perce and Palouse bands on a historic 1,170 mile retreat. After five months of elusive flight, with his people exhausted, freezing and heavily outnumbered, Joseph in dignified surrender proclaimed: “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.” With promises made by the generals at their surrender broken, the Nez Perce were never allowed to return home though Chief Joseph pleaded their case until his death in 1904.
Wallowa Valley, summer homeland of the Joseph Band Nez Perce, was part of the expansive Nez Perce Reservation established by the treaty of 1855. Upon discovery of gold in the region, the U.S. eliminated the reservation in the Wallowas in 1863. The Joseph Band held on until 1877 when, under pressure from increasing white settlement, they were ordered to abandon their ancestral homeland. Violent conflict ensued as the Joseph Band joined other Nez Perce and Palouse bands on a historic 1,170 mile retreat. After five months of elusive flight, with his people exhausted, freezing and heavily outnumbered, Joseph in dignified surrender proclaimed: “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.” With promises made by the generals at their surrender broken, the Nez Perce were never allowed to return home though Chief Joseph pleaded their case until his death in 1904.
Erected by State of Oregon.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 45° 25.398′ N, 117° 17.831′ W. Marker is in Enterprise, Oregon, in Wallowa County. Marker is on
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Wallowa Lake Highway (Oregon Route 82) 0.1 miles east of Highland Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Enterprise OR 97828, United States of America. Touch for directions.
View to south from State Route 82 east of Enterprise
De Lancey Gill (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress), 1900
4. Chief Joseph, Nez Percé
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4. submitted on February 11, 2018.
