On U.S. 12 at milepost 11 near U.S. 95, on the left when traveling east.
The basalt arch on the hillside across the road depicts támsoy ka・?alatálo, insects Ant and Yellowjacket, locked in combat. Many features in this river valley relate to nimi・pu・ (Nez Perce) traditional stories. . . . — — Map (db m121414) HM
On U.S. 12 at milepost 11 near U.S. 95, on the right when traveling east.
According to a Nez Perce Indian legend the stone arch up the hill was once two fighting insects.
Ant and Yellowjacket had an argument and came to blows over who had the right to eat dried salmon here. Fighting fiercely, they failed to notice . . . — — Map (db m121412) HM
Near U.S. 95 near 402 Road, on the right when traveling north.
Here the resting place for three generations of Bredells overlooks the river terrace where they lived from 1861 to 1927. The cemetery’s location next to a parking lot may appear unusual, but the Bredell family was part of a thriving Nez Perce . . . — — Map (db m121639) HM
Near Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the left when traveling east.
For thousands of years the river scene at this village site hardly changed. The stream was full of fish, served as a trade route for neighboring tribes, and attracted wildlife to this green corridor.
While the river fostered a life of bounty and . . . — — Map (db m121715) HM
On Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the right when traveling north.
This small train stop linked the Nez Perce with the cities of Lewiston, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington. Running directly through the reservation, the rails also opened this area to a wave of farmers and loggers who made striking changes to Nez Perce . . . — — Map (db m121736) HM
On U.S. 95 at milepost 295 near Elk Horn Lane, on the left when traveling north.
Located Sept. 15, 1846 by William Craig mountain man and his Indian wife Isabel.
First permanent white settler in Idaho, 1840, first Nez Perce Indian Agent, 1848; interpreter at Walla Walla Flathead and Blackfoot Councils, 1855 Lieutenant . . . — — Map (db m121603) HM
Near Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the left when traveling north.
Built in 1862 this cabin was part of a thriving complex of agency buildings in this area of the Nez Perce reservation. The cabin was probably the residence of an agency employee. In period photographs, agency buildings stood in the midst of Nez . . . — — Map (db m121708) HM
On 403 Road near Watson's Store Road, on the left when traveling north.
The Indian Agent, representing the United States Government, lived here side by side with the Nez Perce. By law the agent and the government were responsible for upholding the terms of treaties. Duties included building schools, distributing food, . . . — — Map (db m121735) HM
On U.S. 95 at milepost 300 at South Tom Beall, on the right when traveling north on U.S. 95.
Henry Harmon Spalding established Idaho’s earliest mission near here, Nov. 29, 1836, at a site chosen by the Nez Perce Indians.
Ever since they met Lewis and Clark in 1805-6, the Nez Perce had wanted to find out more about the white mans . . . — — Map (db m121638) HM
Generations of Nez Perce people are buried here, as well as Henry and Eliza Spalding and other missionaries and agents. To the Nez Perce this is sacred ground -- part of their connection to a traditional homeland. This is still an active . . . — — Map (db m121641) HM
Near U.S. 95 near Waton's Store Road, on the right when traveling north.
The river terrace below had the ingredients for a thriving village site: fresh water, a river full of fish, and a stream corridor filled with wildlife. For thousands of years the Nez Perce lived a life of bounty here. Then within a 50-year span . . . — — Map (db m121640) HM
On Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the right when traveling east.
In Memoriam
Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding
1803 - 1874
and his wife
Eliza Hart Spalding
1808 - 1851
Pioneers, Missionaries, Founders of
Industry
Education
Religion
and Christian Citizenship
among the
Nez . . . — — Map (db m121645) HM
The First Home, The First School and the
First Church in Idaho.
Established by
Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding and
Eliza Hart Spalding — — Map (db m121643) HM
Near Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the left when traveling north.
Yesterday reached this desirable spot, where we expect to dwell the remnant of our earthly pilgrimage. As yet our dwelling is an Indian lodge ... for there is no preparation for building yet. -- Diary of Eliza Hart Spalding
Spalding . . . — — Map (db m121710) HM
Near Watson's Store Road near 403 Road, on the left when traveling east.
Father had a small grist mill near the house -- a great improvement over their (the Nez Perce) mortars and pestles. --- Eliza Spalding Warren
To power the gristmill that stood at this site, Henry Spalding directed some Nez Perce to dig . . . — — Map (db m121719) HM
On Watson's Store Road near Spalding Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Inspired by Henry and Eliza Spalding’s missionary zeal, this church held its first service in 1876. A number of Nez Perce embraced Spalding’s religion. Soon there were Nez Perce ministers, hymns in the Nez Perce language, and Indian blankets and . . . — — Map (db m121763) HM
On Watson's Store Road near Spalding Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Watson’s store was typical of country stores that served small communities on the Nez Perce reservation in the early 1900s. The inventory included groceries and hardware, yet Watson’s also had stocks of beads for decorative work and canvas for tipis . . . — — Map (db m121738) HM
On U.S. 95 at milepost 295 near Elk Horn Lane, on the left when traveling north.
“A bluff jolly good fellow.” He joined the rocky mountain fur trade in 1829, married a Nez Perce in 1838, and settled with the Lapwai Band in 1840.
In 1850 the Oregon Donation Land Act gave free farms to pioneers who had come to . . . — — Map (db m121592) HM