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