Timeline

For a more detailed timeline, click here.

1805-06—Lewis & Clark Expedition through Walla Walla County

1811—David Thompson, Northwest Company, claims region for Britain, promises fur trading post

1818—Northwest Company establishes Fort Nez Perces at Wallula

1821—Hudson’s Bay Company rebuilds trading post as Fort Walla Walla

1824—Joseph LaRoque and Lizette Walla Walla, first French-Canadian cabin at Frenchtown

1836—Marcus & Narcissa Whitman establish Protestant Mission at Waiilatpu

1847—Catholic St. Anne Mission established on Umatilla River

Whitman Mission Killings

1848-50—Cayuse Indian War

1853—St. Rose of the Cayouse Mission & Cemetery established on Yellowhawk Creek

1855—Walla Walla Treaty Council, Battle of Walla Walla/Frenchtown

1856—Second Walla Walla Treaty Council, Stevens Skirmish

1859—Treaties ratified, Indian lands opened to white settlement

Town of Walla Walla founded

1863—Chapel & Cemetery established along Walla Walla River near Frenchtown site

1870—Log schoolhouse established near Frenchtown site

1876—Cemetery moved from river to hill, St. Rose of Lima Mission Church erected at Frenchtown site

1911—St. Rose of Lima Mission Church removed, reused as grocery in Walla Walla

1912—Final burial at Frenchtown cemetery

1993—Frenchtown Historical Foundation incorporated

2010—Frenchtown Foundation acquires 27 acres for Frenchtown Historic Site, builds trails & signage

2012—Frenchtown Foundation drills well, acquires 30 acres along Walla Walla River

2013—Frenchtown Foundation completes Interpretive Shelter, transfers lower portion of site to Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

2014—Frenchtown Foundation moves Prince’s cabin to site, begins restoration