Walla Walla history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Walla Walla roots back to the time when these lands were inhabited by indigenous peoples, who gave the area its name, translating as "many waters". The first Europeans to explore the valley were members of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805.

The actual beginning of the European settlement can be considered the founding of a trading post in 1818 (initially Fort Nez Perce, later Fort Walla Walla), which served as a centre for the fur trade. The settlement officially received city status in 1862.

Key Factors of Development

The rapid growth and development of the city in the 19th century were driven by several important factors:

• Gold Rush: After the discovery of gold deposits in neighbouring Idaho in the 1860s, Walla Walla transformed into a major logistics centre and supply point for thousands of prospectors.
• Geographical Location: The abundance of rivers and streams combined with fertile soil created ideal conditions for living and agriculture in the arid region of eastern Washington.
• Political Weight: Thanks to the economic boom, at one point Walla Walla was the largest city in the Washington Territory and was even considered a possible state capital.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its formative period, the city stood out for its developed infrastructure, outpacing many neighbouring settlements:

• Financial Centre: It was here in 1869 that the first bank in the territory of the modern state of Washington was opened — Baker Boyer Bank.
• Education: The founding of a seminary, which later became the prestigious Whitman College, secured the city's status as a cultural and educational hub.
• Agrarian Base: The economy quickly reoriented from the fur trade to agriculture, laying the foundation for the region's future fame as a producer of wheat, the famous sweet onions, and premium grapes.

Major Milestones in the City's History

The history of Walla Walla is a journey from a trading post to the capital of viticulture in Washington state.

• 1805: The Lewis and Clark expedition passes through the valley, documenting the meeting with local indigenous peoples for the first time.
• 1818: The North West Company establishes the Fort Nez Perce trading post, which would later become known as Fort Walla Walla.
• 1836: Marcus and Narcissa Whitman establish the Waiilatpu Mission, becoming one of the first American pioneer settlements in the region.
• 1859: The valley officially opens to settlers, leading to rapid population growth and agricultural development.
• 1862: Walla Walla officially receives city status, becoming a key transport hub during the gold rush in neighbouring Idaho.
• 1869: Baker Boyer Bank opens in the city — the first banking institution in the territory of the modern state of Washington.
• 1882: Whitman College is founded, which today is one of the prestigious liberal arts colleges in the USA.
• 1886: The Washington State Penitentiary opens in Walla Walla, becoming a significant government institution for the city's economy.
• 1887: The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway connects the city with major sales markets, stimulating grain exports.
• 1977: Gary Figgins founds the Leonetti Cellar estate, marking the beginning of the modern blossoming of the region's viticulture industry.
• 1984: The Walla Walla Valley is officially recognised as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), confirming the uniqueness of the local terroir.
• 2001: The historic city centre receives the prestigious Great American Main Street Award for the successful preservation of architectural heritage.

Stages of Development and Their Impact on the City

The development of Walla Walla is an example of how a fortunate geographical location and entrepreneurial spirit can transform a frontier fort into a thriving cultural and tourist centre. Below are the key stages that defined the modern look of the city.

• Transformation into a Logistics Hub (1860s)
  During the gold rush in Idaho, the city became the main transit point for prospectors. This led to the first construction boom, the appearance of hotels and shops, turning the settlement into the most populous city in the Washington territory at that time.
• Establishment of Financial Independence (1869)
  The opening of Baker Boyer Bank was a turning point in the regional economy. The appearance of its own financial institution allowed local farmers and entrepreneurs to invest in development without dependence on distant banks on the East Coast or California.
• Integration into the National Economy (Late 19th Century)
  The arrival of the railway radically changed the export structure. While trade was previously local, rail connections allowed for the mass export of wheat to world markets, securing the region's status as a "breadbasket" and bringing significant capital to landowners.
• Formation of the Cultural Landscape (Founding of the College)
  The development of Whitman College not only attracted intellectuals to the city but also influenced its architectural appearance. A special university town atmosphere formed around the campus, conducive to the development of arts and humanities.
• Agrarian Branding (Early 20th Century)
  Immigrants from Italy brought seeds of sweet onions, which took perfectly to the local soil. This led to the creation of the unique gastronomic brand Walla Walla Sweet Onion, which became one of the city's calling cards long before the emergence of the grape industry.
• Viticulture Revolution (from the 1970s)
  The transition from growing wheat and peas to viticulture became the main economic transformation of modern times. The recognition of the valley as a unique viticultural zone (AVA) attracted investments, created hundreds of jobs, and completely reoriented the tourist flow towards agritourism.
• Urban Revitalization (1990–2000s)
  Authorities and businesses combined efforts to restore the historic centre (Downtown). The restoration of Victorian buildings and the conversion of old warehouses into exhibition halls and visitor venues allowed the city to win the Great American Main Street Award, making the centre a comfortable public space.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Walla Walla is rightfully considered the architectural gem of Washington state. Urban development here proceeded not by radically demolishing the old for the sake of the new, but through careful preservation and revitalisation. Thanks to this, the city has retained the authentic atmosphere of a prosperous Wild West settlement, avoiding the chaotic construction characteristic of many modern metropolises.

Eras and Dominant Styles

The city's architectural landscape is a chronicle of its economic upswings, from the gold rush to the agrarian boom. The main styles correspond to the periods of greatest prosperity:

• Victorian Commercial Architecture (1880–1900s): The foundation of the historic centre. After major fires, wooden structures were replaced by reliable brick buildings. This style is characterised by decorative cornices, narrow elongated windows, and cast-iron facade elements.
• Beaux-Arts and Neoclassicism (Early 20th Century): With the growth of wealth, monumental public buildings (banks, libraries, courts) appeared in the city. They are distinguished by strict symmetry, the presence of columns, and the use of stone, symbolising stability and power.
• Richardsonian Romanesque: Found in earlier stone buildings, characterised by massiveness, the use of rough-hewn stone, and wide arches.
• Colonial Revival and Neo-Georgian Style: These directions dominate in residential areas and on the college grounds, reflecting a striving for traditional American values and academic rigour.
• Craftsman: The city's residential quarters abound with cosy bungalows with low roofs and wide verandas, built in the 1910–1930s.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The appearance of Walla Walla is formed by several key objects that serve not only as decorations but also as important landmarks:

• Marcus Whitman Hotel (1928): The undisputed dominant feature of the city skyline. This 13-storey building combines elements of Renaissance and Neoclassicism. Built with funds from citizens, the hotel became a symbol of the city's ambitions and its transformation into a tourist centre.
• Historic Downtown: The Main Street district is recognised as one of the best examples of a preserved main street in the USA. Here, Victorian facades harmoniously coexist with modern landscaping, and former warehouses have been converted into stylish boutique venues and restaurants.
• Whitman Memorial Building (1899): The heart of the Whitman College campus. The building with a clock tower, executed in the late Victorian style with elements of the Romanesque style, sets the tone for the entire university quarter.
• Carnegie Library (1905): A classic example of civic architecture from the turn of the century, built from sandstone quarried in neighbouring Idaho.
• Baker Boyer Bank Building: A high-rise (for its time) structure symbolising the financial power of the oldest bank in the state. Its strict facade reflects the transition from the decorativeness of the 19th century to the functionality of the 20th century.

Distinguished Figures of Walla Walla

This city became a starting point and home for many talented people whose names have entered US history and world culture. From pioneers of the Wild West to screen and sports stars — here is a list of the most famous persons associated with Walla Walla.

• Marcus Whitman
  Role: Physician, missionary, and leader of settlers.
  Significance: Played a decisive role in the development of the Oregon Trail, proving the possibility of travelling along it by wagon. His legacy is immortalised in the name of the college, hotel, and county, and the site of his mission is recognised as a national historic site.
• Narcissa Whitman
  Role: Missionary and pioneer.
  Significance: Entered history as one of the first two white women (along with Eliza Spalding) who were able to cross the Rocky Mountains. Her diaries serve as an invaluable source of information about the life of the first settlers in the West.
• William O. Douglas
  Role: Lawyer and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
  Significance: A graduate of Whitman College who served on the Supreme Court for a record 36 years. Famous as a staunch defender of civil rights and environmental protection, whose love for nature was formed in the mountains near Walla Walla.
• Adam West
  Role: Film and television actor.
  Significance: The performer of the iconic role of Batman in the 1960s series. West spent his childhood in Walla Walla and graduated from the local college. The city honours the actor's memory with annual events in his honour.
• Walter Brattain
  Role: Experimental physicist.
  Significance: Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1956 for the invention of the transistor — a key element of modern electronics. He spent his youth in this region and taught physics at Whitman College.
• Drew Bledsoe
  Role: American football star (NFL) and vineyard owner.
  Significance: A famous quarterback who played in the Super Bowl. After completing his sports career, he returned to his hometown and founded a successful estate, becoming one of the main ambassadors of the region's viticulture industry.
• Eddie Feigner
  Role: Softball legend and showman.
  Significance: A native of Walla Walla, known as "The King". He created the famous team "The King and His Court", consisting of only four players, which toured all over the world, demonstrating incredible skill and high-speed pitching.