Walla Walla Turns 150
Walla Walla logo (courtesy Creative Commons)
Historians and residents celebrated the 150th birthday of Walla Walla by recounting all of their favorite memories over the years.
The city was incorporated on January 11, 1862, nearly three decades before Washington became a state.
Dan Clark, Walla Walla historian, said the city was made up of muddy streets, no trees and more taverns than churches back in the mid 1800's.
"This was really the center of commerce for the Northwest for quite some time," Clark said. "People came from all over to get supplies for the gold rush, and it created quite the economy here."
Clark said at one point the state, formed in 1889, considered Walla Walla to be the capital instead of Olympia.
Residents of Walla Walla are not surprised the city has stayed so strong for so long:
Nancy Broyles: "It's just still feels like it's old fashioned, and it's wonderful."
Jackie Moulton: "I think the secret to this whole town is this main street, that's why I moved here, because I found a real town, and I like the shopping."
Clark is leading a 1862 re-enactment Wednesday at the city council meeting at 7:00 P.M.