Amvets & Fort Walla Walla

Content below from 'The Columbia River: A photographic Journey'

In 1818 Donald McKenzie of the North West Company established Fort Walla Walla - also known as "Fort Nez Perce" - as a trading post to help control the fur trade from the interior lands of the Pacific Northwest. When the Pacific North West Company merged with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821, the fort was strengthened and became an increasingly important link in the trade along the Columbia River. This first "Fort Walla Walla" was located at today's Wallula, Washington (see more information above).

The first military Fort Walla Walla, a temporary fort, was built in 1856 on the south side of Mill Creek, directly west of Kibler and 5 miles northeast of the growing community of Walla Walla. Col. Edward J. Steptoe supervised the building, which consisted of a blockhouse and stockade. The early name for this fort was "Fort Steptoe". It was eventually named for the Walla Walla Valley in which it was located.

The second military Fort Walla Walla was built in October and November, 1856, on the north side of Mill Creek, 6 miles east of the junction of the Walla Walla River with Mill Creek. The compound went from the present Main Street south to the current First Avenue to about Palouse Street. This fort included barracks, stables, officer's quarters and sheds.

The third Fort Walla Walla (see The Golden Age of Postcards below) was built the following spring in 1857 on 13th Avenue and Rose Street, adjoining the city of Walla Walla. This fort was more extensive than the previous two forts and covered 613 acres. The original buildings were made of adobe brick, later boarded over and painted white. This fort was extensive and along with the officers quarters and troop barracks included a parade grounds, stables, a blacksmith's shop, granary, storehouse, sheds, and a saw mill. Fifteen of the "fort-era" buildings exist today.

In 1865 after the Civil War Congress tried to abandon the fort, however, according to accounts:

"... Congress tried to abandon the fort in 1867, but listed the post in Oregon rather than Washington. By the time the error was discovered, the Modoc tribe was warring in southern Oregon, and the fort was regarrisoned with troops from the 21st Infantry Regiment. The fort remained in use for the next 37 years. ..." [Terry McConn, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, October 20, 2005]

A paragraph in the Seattle Gazette, September 2, 1865, mentioned abandoning Fort Walla Walla.

"... Fort Walla Walla is to be abandoned by the U.S. troops, the government stores removed to other posts, and its garrison sent into the Indian country. ..."

From the Walla Walla Statesman, Friday evening, January 12, 1866, reflected the bitterness of some of the citizens of Walla Walla.

"... The present condition of Fort Walla Walla reflects but little credit upon the Military Department -- or rather upon the individual who lately had the honor to command this immediate district. Governed by no higher motive than prejudice against the people of Walla Walla, the late District commander industriously applied himself to the work of dismantling Fort Walla Walla. Under his orders, all the troops, with the exception of a corporal's guard, scarce sufficient to protect the public property, were ordered away, and the post left to go to ruin. ... Carrying out this policy he has left public property of an aggregate value of hundreds of thousands of dollars, without even a military guard, and attended with the dangers incident to a large number of unoccupied buildings. The present commander, Capt. Noble, is doing all that he can for the protection of the property committed to his care; but stripped of soldiers, he is measurably powerless, and for the most part is compelled to trust to luck. Fort Walla Walla to-day will furnish comfortable quarters for six companies of troops, with stable accommodations for a thousand horses, all which can be subsisted at a much lower cost to the Government than at less favored localities. Dirty Curry knew this, but to gratify his private spleen he has left Fort Walla Walla literally a deserted habitation. ..."

Fort Walla Walla was formally deactivated in 1889 and abandoned in 1911. Today this is the site of the present day Fort Walla Walla park, cemetery and museum complex, as well as the Veterans Hospital and grounds.