Historical Markers and War Memorials in Umatilla County, Oregon
Pendleton is the county seat for Umatilla County
Adjacent to Umatilla County, Oregon
Grant County(30) ► Morrow County(3) ► Union County(12) ► Wallowa County(20) ► Benton County, Washington(3) ► Columbia County, Washington(19) ► Walla Walla County, Washington(33) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
(Six panels dealing with the Deadman Pass portion of the Oregon Trail are found at this kiosk)
Wagon Ruts
More than 50,000 emigrants traveled west on the Oregon Trail between 1840 and 1850. The constant stream of wagons . . . — — Map (db m111563) HM
Charles grew up looking down on this field from his home along the golf course and dreamed of playing football here. While he excelled in all sports, football was his lifelong love. Among his achievements: East-West Shrine Team, All-state 2nd team . . . — — Map (db m111915) HM
The Wagon and Team
Wagons for trail travel were of the simplest construction, they cost $85.00 each. They were light, strong, and carried on sturdy wheels. It was recommended that wheels be made of bois-d'arc, osage orangewood or white . . . — — Map (db m111926) HM
David R. Koontz was a born in Gallia County, Ohio on September 20, 1829, and was buried here about September 10, 1852. He was the seventh child and youngest son of Martin V. Koontz, bridge builder and carpenter, and Lydia Rickabaugh. The Koontz . . . — — Map (db m111938) HM
Jack Dempsey, the Manassa Mauler or Nonpareil, held the heavy weight title from 1919 to 1926. However what few people realize is that as a young man he traveled the rails and lived in hobo camps such as one located along the river in Echo. The hobo . . . — — Map (db m111918) HM
From our little castle 100 feet square ... we commended operations early the following morning, and are now in a picket, 100 feet square, seven feet high, and have one blockhouse half-built. -- Luke, an Oregon Mounted Volunteer, from letter dated . . . — — Map (db m111923) HM
This morning after going one mile, we left the river, five mile over the ridge we crossed the river and encamped for the day in order to recruit our cattle as they were much fatigued by crossing the Blue Mountains. -- William J. . . . — — Map (db m111924) HM
This building was the first county jail built in Umatilla Landing in 1865 & abandoned when the county seat moved to Pendleton in 1868. Joseph Cunha moved it to Echo & use it as a smoke house. Shirley Cunha Snow donated the building to the city in . . . — — Map (db m111921) HM
An 8,000 mile 28-months mission into the unknown is more of an odyssey than a trip.
The western U.S. was almost completely a mystery, and had, the year before, just doubled in size. The Corps of Discovery co-leaders Meriwether Lewis . . . — — Map (db m158688) HM
Hat Rock is evidence of on of the most remarkable geologic events of all time.
Around 17 million years ago, when prehistoric rhinoceros and camel roamed here, a chain of events began that drastically changed this region. A series of . . . — — Map (db m158691) HM
As they passed Hat Rock, the explorers were just beginning the most exciting phase of their journey... reaching their goal. .
The Corps of Discovery had endured months of hardship, especially the bitter cold and hunger in the seemingly . . . — — Map (db m158689) HM
(There are two panels to this marker.)
Naamí Tiičám Ku Waqíšwit
During their journey, Lewis and Clark described many things about the people and landscapes they encountered on their expedition. The misunderstood and missed many . . . — — Map (db m158686) HM
(Six panels dealing with the Emigrant Springs portion of the Oregon Trail are found beneath this kiosk)
Lost Livestock
Water is scarce in the steep, forested slopes of the Blue Mountains and is often found only at . . . — — Map (db m111537) HM
In the first week of January, 1812, a party of trappers and traders, members of the Astor Overland Expedition, crossed the Blue Mountains in this area. Traveling afoot in bitter cold, often waist deep in snow, they were the first white men in this . . . — — Map (db m111534) HM
First known as Lee's Encampment,
from establishment of a troop
camp by Major H.A.G. Lee in 1844,
A.B. and Harvey Meacham operated
famous "Mountain House" here, which
gave the town its present name.
In later years a famous railroad
eating . . . — — Map (db m111530) HM
In Memoriam
Erected 1925 by the
Women's Community Club
of Meacham, Oregon
In honor of those who died
Blazing the Old Oregon Trail — — Map (db m111528) HM
Dedicated to the memory of
The Intrepid Pioneers
Who came with the
First Wagon Train
In 1843 over the
Old Oregon Trail
And Saved the "Oregon County"
To the United States.
Erected by Old Oregon Trail Ass'n.
July 4, . . . — — Map (db m111533) HM
Aura Morse Goodwin Raley was born in Kennebec County, Maine. At age 15 she move to Wisconsin, and in 1846 she married Moses Goodwin. In 1853 the couple joined a wagon train to Oregon, where they settled north of Vancouver, Washington. In 1864 the . . . — — Map (db m111644) HM
In 1889, a wood framed "Bowman Hotel' was operated by Henry Bowman on this site. A mill race running along Frazer Avenue separated that first hotel from the original railroad depot building. That building either burned down or was razed and the . . . — — Map (db m111597) HM
This imaginative building was built to resemble a castle, complete with crenellations on the parapet. It was built in 1905 by W.S. Bowman, a turn-of-the century photographer, for use as his studio along with retail and residential space. This stone . . . — — Map (db m111848) HM
The Elks Club had this building constructed in 1919 as Lodge #288. The first floor served as commercial space, the second and third floors as the lodge and the fourth floor as residences while the basement was a pool hall and bowling hall. A grand . . . — — Map (db m111858) HM
In 1879 Maria Byrd, a widow, donated the land for Umatilla County School District #21. The school was located 6.1 miles south of Pilot Rock, near the junction of West Birch Creek and the Yellow Jacket Road. Maria and her husband, Daniel Byrd, . . . — — Map (db m111598) HM
Currently used as the Pendleton Center for the Arts, this structure was built with $25,000 of endowment money from the Carnegie Foundation plus funds from the County for use as the Umatilla County Library. The architect was Folger Johnson of . . . — — Map (db m111853) HM
July 29, 1889 - July 2, 1987
Pendleton Round-Up Chief 1936-1987
Clarence T. Burke was the eldest son of Chief Poker Jim, the first Pendleton Round-Up Chief. Chief Burke was born at Cayuse and resided near there his entire life. . . . — — Map (db m111826) HM
This one story Italianate building was built in two phases by Jeremiah DeSpain, a very early settler in Pendleton. The South half of the building was completed in 1884 and the North half was completed in 1889. The building uses iron pilasters and an . . . — — Map (db m111827) HM
The Columbia Hotel was built in 1900 by John Seibert and William Roesch. The Seibert heirs owned the building until the late 1970's. The Columbia Hotel opened on the second floor with F.X. Schemp as the proprietor. It operated as a hotel for only a . . . — — Map (db m111639) HM
Constructed in 1887, this is another building built and owned by Jeremiah DeSpain, early Pendleton settler, which was later added onto by E.J. Murphy. This building's second story remains much as it looked when it was constructed. Originally, the . . . — — Map (db m111717) HM
"Football is another classroom where real life lessons are learned." - Don Requa
Don Requa, or Req, as he was known, was an amazing motivator of young people in the classroom teaching mathematics and coaching football. He is . . . — — Map (db m111829) HM
In 1899, Henry Schwarz and his step brother Frank Greulich constructed a very ornate building for their business, the Empire Meat Market, which had previously been located in a wood frame building on Court Avenue.
Ownership passed to another . . . — — Map (db m111602) HM
The Episcopal Church body began meeting in 1871 when 20 local women organized the church. The original church on this site was completed in 1875. The building was painted brown and became known as "The Little Brown Jug." The cornerstone for the . . . — — Map (db m111679) HM
This High Victorian Italianate building was constructed in 1904 by J.W. Maloney and James Monroe Ferguson. Although the ground floor store front have been altered over the years the building's historic character is evident at the second story which . . . — — Map (db m111570) HM
Completed to replace the congregations' first church building that had been destroyed by fire in August, 1908, this structure was built to withstand time and elements. This site was purchased from W.F. Matlock and selected because its was out of the . . . — — Map (db m111854) HM
In 1871, six Methodist members met at the 1869 wooden Courthouse on Main Street to hold what is believed to be the first Protestant service in Pendleton. After meeting at various locations around town and in homes, the founding congregation built . . . — — Map (db m111678) HM
This simple, one story Commercial Italianate style building was constructed in 1889 by Robert and Mary Sargent who then sold half interest in the building to Frank Frazier in 1890. Frazier purchased the remaining interest in the building in 1926 and . . . — — Map (db m111635) HM
Inducted into the Round-Up hall of Fame, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame
George Fletcher arrived in Pendleton around 1900 at the age of 10 with his mother and stepfather. His home life was unstable, . . . — — Map (db m111773) HM
This skinny little building (only 17' wide) was built by Frank Griggs and J. Tryon as a confectionary and cigar store. When the Rivoli Theatre opened up next door they changed the name of their little shop t the the "Rivoli Cigar Store and . . . — — Map (db m111632) HM
This corner lot was originally the home of Jeremiah and Nancy Despain - early settlers and developers of Pendleton. Despain Avenue and Despain Gulch are named in their memory. Their house sat on this corner from 1874 until it was torn down to make . . . — — Map (db m111707) HM
Built in 1897 by early day brothel owner, Christopher Columbus Hendricks, this building has one of the least altered store fronts and interiors within the historic district. The southern most commercial space originally had an angled doorway with a . . . — — Map (db m111568) HM
Jackson Sundown, born in 1863, was a member of the Wallowa Band Nez Perce and a nephew of Chief Joseph. At age forty, he began competing in rodeos and took the name "Buffalo Jackson" at first, later changing his name to Jackson Sundown.
In 1911 . . . — — Map (db m111821) HM
Designed by a Hartford, Connecticut firm, and constructed by T.F. Howard for Fredrick Judd, this building uses native basalt stone and brick to make a bold statement. Originally, there was more ornamentation at the parapet level. The strong lintels . . . — — Map (db m111719) HM
This Statue is Decicated to All the Women Who Have Served as the Face of the Pendleton Round-Up
Like many of the Pendleton Round-Up Queens past and present, Kathleen McClintock had served as a princess on the court prior to becoming the . . . — — Map (db m111820) HM
The smaller section on the west end of the block was completed in 1884 while the remainder of the building was completed on a larger scale in 1890. Both sections are Italianate in style. The original structure had a wooden roof extending over the . . . — — Map (db m111706) HM
This brick building was constructed in 1887 in the High Victorian Italianate style by the Masonic Hall Association of Pendleton. With the exception of the ground floor commercial storefronts, which have been altered over the years to suit their . . . — — Map (db m111569) HM
Built in 1904 and exemplifying the Georgian architectural style, this building is 90' deep by 100' wide. There are five commercial bays with one still retaining the original cast iron columns. There were eleven evenly-spaced one-over-one double-hung . . . — — Map (db m111601) HM
The Milarkey Building at 203 South Main Street is 26 ft. by 100 ft. long and was erected in 1883-84 by Thomas Milarkey in the "Late Simple Expression Italianate" style. This style is typical of many brick commercial buildings constructed in . . . — — Map (db m111772) HM
This is another fine example of an Italianate Commercial building. It was constructed in 1904 for two men related by marriage and who belonged to the first Catholic families in the area. This style remained popular in Pendleton long after the East . . . — — Map (db m111860) HM
This magnificent view is preserved and protected by the efforts of the Oregon Roadside Council, which initiated and secured the passage of the Oregon Scenic Areas Act in 1961. 3585 scenic miles of highways were surveyed and selected by the Council. . . . — — Map (db m111564) HM
This location marks a travel corridor for Plateau Tribes moving seasonally from the Columbia River to the Blue Mountains. In 1811, members of the Astor Party under the leadership of Wilson Price Hunt camped here on their way west. They traded with . . . — — Map (db m111565) HM
Pendleton's City Hall building was constructed in 1908 on the former site of H.M. Sloan's Hammer and Estes Livery Stable. The general organization of the building exterior reflects the Georgian style of architecture which was popular for public . . . — — Map (db m111680) HM
(Six panels dealing with the Pendleton area portion of the Oregon Trail are found at this kiosk)
The Long Walk to Oregon
Contrary to popular belief Oregon Trail emigrants rarely took the reins while seated in their . . . — — Map (db m111578) HM
This 75' x 100' building was built by B.F. Renn for use as commercial space on the first floor while the second floor housed the Elks Lodge for a few years. It had classical arched double-hung one-over-one windows with two crests at the parapet . . . — — Map (db m111765) HM
This building started out as a single story building built between 1897 and 1900 to house four store fronts. In 1900, one of the storefronts became "The Pastime" and was a popular nickelodeon owned by the Matlock Family. The single-story building . . . — — Map (db m111629) HM
This single-story Italianate Commercial building was constructed in 1890. The original owner/builder was Jeremiah Despain. His house stood in the east lot next door. For many years, it housed Rohrman's Bakery, which was one of the first bakeries in . . . — — Map (db m111712) HM
This building was constructed for Thomas Milarkey, early Pendleton entrepreneur. Milarkey was one of the first Catholics to settle in Pendleton. Mass was often held in his home by visiting priests. He was instrumental in helping establish a Catholic . . . — — Map (db m111767) HM
Dr. Isaiah Ulysses Temple arrived in Pendleton with his family, at the age of 14, in 1883. He purchased the south half of this building in 1910. He added a second story for professional offices and converted a portion of the ground floor to a motion . . . — — Map (db m111677) HM
Constructed in 1907, Henry Schwarz and Frank Greulich named the building The Empire Block for their business, the Empire Meat Market. At the dissolution of the Schwarz and Greulich partnership in 1916, the building was purchased by Frank Greulich . . . — — Map (db m96873) HM
"The People's Warehouse" was known as Pendleton's Greatest Department Store in its heyday at the turn of the century. The People's Warehouse Store began operation in the building located on the Northwest corner of Main and Court. By 1915 the store . . . — — Map (db m111766) HM
In 1943, The African-American 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was formed. The “Triple Nickles” -as they spelled it- were the first black paratroopers in the segregated US Army during World War II.
In 1944- 1945, Japan launched incendiary . . . — — Map (db m191579) HM
This brick building was constructed in 1916 by the Federal Government and has been in continuous use as a Post Office and Courthouse since that time. The structure was dedicated as the John F. Kilkenny United States Courthouse and Post Office on . . . — — Map (db m111682) HM
Weary emigrants traveling westward on the Oregon Trail favored a campsite on the near bank of the Umatilla River at this point. On leaving they climbed the same hill the highway now traverses. Then recrossed the Umatilla River at Echo 20 hot dusty . . . — — Map (db m111912) HM
The existing Depot building was built in 1909 by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company. The depot building is primarily styled after architecture of the Mediterranean, as seen in the tiled hip roof, decorative roof support brackets and brick . . . — — Map (db m111599) HM
Built to be used by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, this building was later bought by the Woodmen of the World for their fraternal organization. The second floor housed a grand ballroom and stage, while the top floor was a large banquet hall and . . . — — Map (db m111716) HM
The decisive engagement of the Bannock War was fought on the foothills of Battle Mountain, July 8, 1878. The war - a protest against white encroachment, and the last major uprising in the Pacific Northwest-was started by Bannock Indians, but Egan, a . . . — — Map (db m96868) WM
(Six panels dealing with the Umatilla River Crossing portion of the Oregon Trail are found at this kiosk)
The Road Forks
Early Oregon Trail emigrants crossed the Blue Mountains and traveled north to re-provision at the . . . — — Map (db m111940) HM
The decisive engagement of the Bannock War was fought on the foothills of Battle Mountain, July 8, 1878. The war - a protest against white encroachment, and the last major uprising in the Pacific Northwest - was started by Bannock Indians, but Egan, . . . — — Map (db m108178) HM WM
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, . . . — — Map (db m114101) HM
In 1855, Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens and Oregon Territory Indian Superintendent Joel Palmer convened a treaty council in present-day Walla Walla, Washington with Yakama, Nez Perce, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla bands and . . . — — Map (db m114100) HM
In 1804-06, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led about 40 soldiers and boatmen on an epic journey. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned this "Corps of Discovery" to find a route to the Pacific Ocean through the newly acquired . . . — — Map (db m114092) HM
The Corps of Discovery descended the Columbia River in five dugout canoes made from pines felled at the mouth of the North Fork of the Clearwater River in Idaho.
Before McNary Dam harnessed this segment of the mighty Columbia, the river plunged . . . — — Map (db m114089) HM
