On North Shore Road near U.S. 12, on the right when traveling north.
The depression on either side of North Shore Road here marks a historically important route that has been used by many people. The way was established thousands of years ago by the region's tribes as part of a vast trail network. The Walla Walla . . . — — Map (db m311359) HM
On Hood Park Road 0.4 miles west of Ice Harbor Drive (Washington Route 124).
In 1915, Frank and Laura Hood and their young children, Merle and Louise, moved from Spokane to Burbank - a hot, dry town on the banks of the Snake River. Here, they built their home and over the next 35 years developed what locals would refer to . . . — — Map (db m298723) HM
Near Ice Harbor Road, on the left when traveling east.
October 16, 1805
William Clark recorded in his journal that on this date:
"After getting safely over the rapid and having taken diner set out and proceeded on seven miles to the junction of this river and the Columbia which joins . . . — — Map (db m298724) HM
Near Charbonneau Road (becomes Campground Road) near Shoreline Drive.
Touissant, Sacajawea,* and Jean Baptiste
* Note Sacajawea's name is shown with the traditional spelling. Some historians also use the spelling "Sacagawea."
Touissant Charbonneau joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition at Fort . . . — — Map (db m311447) HM
Dedicated to the travelers on Old Oregon Trail 1832-1843 when it passed thru
Walla Walla Valley. Robert Newell and Joe Meek brought wagons to Fort Walla Walla in 1840. White, Lovejoy & Hastings led the first emigrants in 1842. Whitman, Applegate . . . — — Map (db m126012) HM
On State Highway 124 at milepost 35 near State Highway 125, on the right when traveling east.
Return of the Steel Trap
The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped a few miles east of here on May 1, 1805. Their camp was located along the Touchet River, visible in the field in front of you beyond this viewpoint
That evening, three . . . — — Map (db m311497) HM
On State Highway 124 at State Highway 125, on the right when traveling east on State Highway 124.
This land will always be home to the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla people. The land is used by and shared with relatives and neighbors such as the Palouse, Wanapum, Yakama, Wishxam, Wyam, Tenino and Nez Perce.
In 1805 and 1806, Lewis . . . — — Map (db m311286) HM
"Swam in & Saved Some Property"
The Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered treacherous rapids on the Snake Rover in mid-October 1805. On October 14, one of the party's canoes sank after striking a rock. Two Nimiipuu . . . — — Map (db m311486) HM
On Washington Route 124 0.2 miles east of Route 125, on the right when traveling east.
Beginning in 1869, Benjamin and Malinda Flathers provided a forage station and accommodations for travelers along the Mullan Road near this location. The Mullan Road was the first engineered wagon road in the Pacific Northwest. It linked the . . . — — Map (db m308083) HM
On Touchet North Road 7.4 miles south of Route 124, on the right when traveling south.
Near this place on December 5, 1855 approximately 200 Oregon Mounted Volunteers from the Willamette Valley encountered Walla Walla Chief Peopeomoxmox and approximately 50 of his warriors. Peopeomoxmox was waving a white flag of truce. He sought to . . . — — Map (db m303991) HM
On Touchet River North Road 6.2 miles north of Old U.S. 12, on the left when traveling north.
Constructed: 1929-1930 Replaced: 2007 The original cast-in-place concrete bridge built on this site was designed in 1928 by Walla Walla County Engineer E.R. Smith. Construction of the bridge started in 1929 and completed in the spring of 1930. . . . — — Map (db m302234) HM
On Touchet North Road 7.4 miles south of Route 124, on the right when traveling south.
After leaving their camp one mile above the mouth of the Walla Walla River, on the Columbia River, the Corps of Discovery followed a good road over level country that would shorten their route to the Kooskooskie (Clearwater) River. The Expedition . . . — — Map (db m303993) HM
The Whitman's only child, Alice Clarissa, was born during the mission's first year. She was a delight to her parents and a curiosity to the Indians who were amazed at her size and vitality. They proudly called her "Cayuse girl" because she was born . . . — — Map (db m159357) HM
On Old Highway 12 near Frenchtown Road, on the right when traveling east.
The longest battle in the history of Washington Territory was fought in this area, from December 7-10,1855. The primary fighting extended from the Larocque cabin a mile west of here, held by approximately 350 Oregon Mounted Volunteers, to the . . . — — Map (db m303455) HM
This was the Oregon Trail. Travelers who made it this far usually drove on to settling places farther west, after stopping for food, medicine, and a brief rest...
...But for seven children who arrived here in October 1844, it was a tearful . . . — — Map (db m159344) HM
On West Main Street east of South 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Dedicated to Christopher Columbus
Italy’s illustrious son who gave to the world a continent. We shall be inclined to pronounce the voyage that led the way to this new world as the most epoch making event of all that have occurred since the . . . — — Map (db m129496) HM
Marcus Whitman's assistant, William Gray, completed this 1 1/2 story adobe house for his family in the mission's sixth year. Later it became a guest house and winter quarters for settlers arriving on the Oregon Trail.
Settlers Entering . . . — — Map (db m159427) HM
The crops and livestock Marcus Whitman raised here fed his mission family. Hungry travelers found food for winter, and their payments helped to offset mission expenses.
For the Indians, the farming methods Whitman taught were training for . . . — — Map (db m159348) HM
On East Main Street west of S Colville Street, on the left when traveling west.
This tablet marks the site of Fort Walla Walla, established in the fall of 1856, it was moved to the present location in the spring of 1858. — — Map (db m293740) HM
During the period of its existence Fort Walla Walla protected a vast area of the Northwest. Indian Wars which were fought by troops from this fort are Steptoe Expedition, Wright Expedition, Modoc War and Bannock War.
Regiments stationed . . . — — Map (db m311705) HM
Near Old Highway 12 near U.S. 12, on the left when traveling east.
The Prince's cabin displays prominent characteristics of homes French-Canadian/Métis design in the 1830s.
These features include the cabin's size (16' x 24'), original hinges, door (Fig. 1), and interior paint color, as well as the design . . . — — Map (db m158833) HM
Fur traders began coming to this area after the 1804-06 Lewis & Clark Expedition. In 1818, the Canadian Northwest Company established Fort Nez Perce, the first trading post in this area, near the confluence of the Walla Walla and Columbia rivers . . . — — Map (db m158756) HM
The first flour mill at Waiilatpu was little more than an oversized metal coffee grinder powered by a small channel diverted from the river. A second mill used 24' millstones enclosed in a small building, but a fire destroyed it.
Whitman's . . . — — Map (db m159426) HM
Near Old Highway 12 near U.S. 12, on the left when traveling east.
In contrast with the industrial Frenchtowns of New England, western Frenchtowns were a by-product of the fur trade, established by former employees of the North West Company (NMC) and the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Upon . . . — — Map (db m158826) HM
Tribal peoples lived in this area for thousands of years before the coming of Lewis and Clark in 1805-06, This site was part of the Walla Walla and Cayuse peoples' traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds. The Walla Walla Valley is part . . . — — Map (db m158752) HM
Marcus Whitman built this whitewashed adobe house in the mission's third year. Pine boards for floors and woodwork were whipsawed in the mountains. Like the other buildings, the roof was made of poles covered with grass and mud. With its painted . . . — — Map (db m159435) HM
The house that once stood here was the home of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman for nine years. It also served as a school, hospital, orphanage, and church. One tragic day changed everything. — — Map (db m159436) HM
(Q & A's presented top to bottom, left to right)
Why is it so small?
A large and heavy wagon could not have made it over the mountains.
Where did people sit?
If they were sick or tired they rode in the back, but . . . — — Map (db m159346) HM
The first of three Saint Rose missions in the area was established in 1847 at the confluence of the Yakama and Columbia rivers by Father Eugene Chirouse and was vacated the same year during the Cayuse War. In 1853, Saint Rose of the Cayouse . . . — — Map (db m158770) HM
On Old Highway 12 near U.S. 12, on the right when traveling east.
Here stood
St. Rose Mission
also known as
Frenchtown
1850 - 1900
Land Donation Claim of Narcisse Reymond
Cemetery on hill north
Oregon Volunteers fought Indians Dec. 7, 8, 9, 1855
Chief Peu-Peu-Mox-Mox of Walla . . . — — Map (db m158694) HM
On Old Highway 12 near Frenchtown Road, on the right when traveling east.
The first railroad in the northwest, the Walla Walla and Columbia River, was constructed along this route by Dr. Dorsey S. Baker beginning in 1871 at Wallula. In 1874, when the track reached this point, known as Whitman Station, Baker told local . . . — — Map (db m158902) HM
The longest Indian battle in the history of Washington Territory was fought here in 1855 from the 7th to the 10th of December. The Battle of Walla Walla at Frenchtown involved approximately 350 Oregon Mounted Volunteers and an estimated thousand . . . — — Map (db m158759) HM
Winter was approaching Old Oregon. Marcus Whitman, having selected this place for a mission, began work on a shelter. In December 1836 he brought his bride, Narcissa, to the crude house he had partially completed at this site. It was the beginning . . . — — Map (db m159352) HM
Time has dimmed the inscription on the coverstone of the Great Grave. Reproduced here is a copy of the inscription from the original registry.
Sacred to the memory of
Marcus Whitman • Narcissa Prentiss Whitman • Andrew Roger Jr. • . . . — — Map (db m158904) HM
Near Old Highway 12 near U.S. 12, on the left when traveling east.
The Cayuse name of the Prince is not recorded. "Prince" was often used in fur trade culture to refer to a headman or trading partner's younger brother or son. The Prince was a young brother of Hiyumtipin, headman at Pášxapa, the . . . — — Map (db m158828) HM
A short distance to the south, near the Walla Walla River, is Wai-i-lat-pu, "The Place of the People of the Rye Grass,” a mission founded among the Cayuse Indians of the Walla Walla Valley in 1836 by Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife, Narcissa. . . . — — Map (db m3766) HM
Near Old Highway 12 near U.S. 12, on the left when traveling east.
Based on architectural design and textual evidence, the cabin standing before you is believed to have been built in 1837 by Hudson's Bay traders for a Cayuse leader called "the Prince."
The Prince's cabin is thought to be the oldest . . . — — Map (db m158823) HM
On U.S. 12 0.2 miles north of Columbia Way, on the left when traveling north.
This site honors the trading post built by the North West Company of Canada as Fort Nez Percés and rebuilt by the Hudson's Bay Company as Fort Walla Walla in the early 1800's. In 1811, David Thompson of the Northwest Company led a fur trading party . . . — — Map (db m129498) HM
On U.S. 12 1.1 miles south of Boise Cascade Road, on the right when traveling south. Reported missing.
To the west, at the junction of the Walla Walla and Columbia Rivers, is the site of a trading post built in 1818.
Fort Walla Walla was a vital link in the region’s fur trade, and helped open up the Northwest to the white man. From this post . . . — — Map (db m297709) HM
On U.S. 730 1.2 miles south of U.S. 12, on the left when traveling south.
Geology at Wallula From 15,000-18,000 years ago what many geologists believe were the Earth’s largest floods raced through Wallula Gap. Some of these floods were as many as twenty times as large as the combined discharge of all the world’s . . . — — Map (db m129497) HM
Near 2nd Street 0.1 miles east of Burdett Way when traveling east.
(Front Marker) Duty-Honor-Country The sacrifices of the few ensured the freedom of many. A grateful community remembers those who served in the armed forces of the United States during times of war and peace, whose courage and personal . . . — — Map (db m297713) WM
On North Shore Road at U.S. 12, on the right when traveling east on North Shore Road.
Madame Dorion of the Iowa tribe was the second woman to come west on an overland route. She made the journey with her husband, Pierre and two young sons. They were part of American John Jacob Astor's attempt to establish a fur trading empire in the . . . — — Map (db m297710) HM
