Frenchtown Historic Site

Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily. No overnight parking.
Fees: Free and open to the public.
Amenities: Walking trail, interpretive signage, parking, sheltered picnic area with table, vault toilet.
Location: 8364 Old Highway 12, Walla Walla, WA

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The scenic Frenchtown Historic Site brings together many threads of the history of the Walla Walla valley. It lies within the homeland of the Walla Walla and Cayuse Tribes. French-Canadian voyageurs associated with the Hudson’s Bay Company settled here with their Métis families beginning in the 1820s. In 1855, it was the site of the Battle of Walla Walla, fought between Oregon Mounted Volunteers and members of the Walla Walla, Cayuse, Palouse and Yakama tribes. Points of interest include the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery and the restored “Prince’s cabin”, believed to be the oldest example of French-Canadian construction in Washington state. Interpretive signage provides family histories and burial records as well as information on trade networks, treaty negotiations, the fur trade, interactions between local tribes and settlers, and more.

The Frenchtown Historic Site is maintained and interpreted by the Frenchtown Historical Foundation, an all-volunteer, locally run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Click here to support our work!

Site courtesy

Please practice leave no trace. Stay on the trails, and clean up after your pets.
Horses are an exception – they are allowed at the site but not on the trails, which are graveled and graded for wheelchair accessibility.

Help us to maintain the site by reporting any issues by email at frenchtownhistoricalfoundation@gmail.com or by phone or text at (509) 593-3464‬.