Most Frequently Asked Questions

Was the mission built on the hill?

No. The mission grounds lie to the south of the present day visitor center. The marble structure on the hill is a memorial shaft to the Whitmans and their co-workers. It was dedicated in 1897, during a 50th anniversary celebration of the Whitmans' deaths. (The Great Grave was also dedicated at this time.)

Why did Whitman choose this location for his mission?

The Whitmans and the Spaldings intended to settle among the Cayuse and Nez Perce. Together they decided to build two missions instead of one mission. It was then decided that Spalding would settle further east and the best site for Whitman Mission was between the Walla Walla River and Mill Creek. Five good reasons for choosing Waiilatpu as the site are:

a) The Cayuse Indians lived in this area. The Walla Walla and Umatilla Indians also resided in the region.

b) The site was near the location of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Walla Walla. Fort Walla Walla was located directly on the main communication line which linked Vancouver and Montreal.

c) The chosen site marked the end of the long trail that wound through the Blue Mountains. Also, the Columbia River was nearby, and this river was the main artery of trade and travel in Old Oregon.

d) The nearby creek and river provided ample water and good soil for farming.

e) The Cayuse offered this land to them.

Were the Cayuse the only Indians with whom the Whitmans worked?

No. The Whitmans also worked with the Walla Walla, Umatilla and to a lesser extent, the Nez Perce Indians.

Where were the Whitmans originally from?

Marcus Whitman was born September 4, 1802 in Rushville, New York. Narcissa Prentiss Whitman was born March 14, 1808 in Prattsburg, New York.

What religion were the Whitmans?

Presbyterian. Marcus was made a Presbyterian elder of the Wheeler Church in 1834.

Where did Whitmans' child drown? What was her name and age at the time of her death, and where was she buried?

Alice Clarissa Whitman, born March 14, 1837 (on the evening of Narcissa's twenty-ninth birthday) was the first white girl born of American parents west of the Rockies. She died Sunday, June 23, 1839. She was two years, three months and nine days old. At approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, Alice went down to the river to get some water in two cups. Soon after, two (2) cups were observed floating in the river. After some time searching along the river, an old Indian found her body caught on a tree root which extended into the river. The exact location of her grave is not known today. It is believed to be in the vicinity of the current Great Grave.

Did the killings take place on the hill?

No. Marcus was the first one killed, in the Mission House kitchen, November 29, 1847. Others died at various spots at and near the mission, one died escaping, one died travelling towards the mission.

Were all the people at the Mission killed?

No. Out of seventy-five, thirteen were killed, seven escaped (including Hall, who disappeared), three half-Indian / half-white boys were released, fifty were held captive. Of the fifty captives, two children and one adult died of measles. The remaining forty-seven were ransomed on December 29, 1847 by Peter Skene Ogden of the Hudson Bay Company.

How old were the Whitmans when they were killed?

Marcus Whitman was forty-five years old and Narcissa was thirty-nine years old.

What happened to the Mission buildings?

After the killings, the Indians destroyed everything they could. When the Oregon Volunteers arrived they partially rebuilt the main Mission House, and changed the name to Fort Waters. After they left, the Indians in the area once again destroyed all structures. Luckily for archaeologists, fires that had been set by the Cayuse caused the Mission House roof to fall on the foundations, preserving them.

Where was Fort Walla Walla?

There have been two Fort Walla Wallas in the Walla Walla Valley:

a) In 1818, the Northwest Fur Company built a fort near the confluence of the Walla Walla River and the Columbia. This was first known as Fort Nez Perce, but in later years its name was changed to Fort Walla Walla. Within the thirty-seven years of its existence, there were three forts built in this area, each one replacing the previous fort. In 1821, the Hudson's Bay Company took charge and operated the fort until the Indian troubles began in 1855. This fort is the one that is mentioned in the Whitman story.

b) The second Fort Walla Walla was built in 1856 in the city of Walla Walla. Later it was moved to a location which is now behind the Veterans Hospital. It was strictly a military fort and did not have any bearing on the Whitman story. It was abandoned about 1910. This is the site of the present day Fort Walla Walla park, cemetery and museum complex, as well as the Veterans Hospital and grounds.

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Last modified on: January 31, 2004