NEZ PERCE Master Plan

RESOURCE USE

Existing Use: The Nez Perce Country may be divided into two distinct but unequal land status or ownership segments. The larger segment is made up of the heavily forested eastern and southeastern sections which cover two thirds or more of the Nez Perce Country. With the exceptions of a large block of Potlatch Forests, Inc. timber holdings along the North Fork of the Clearwater. this segment is almost entirely in national forests and thus under Federal ownership.

Conversely, the much smaller, less mountainous western, segment is essentially privately owned lands devoted principally to dry-land wheat farms and livestock production.

Spalding Site

Land within the proposed area was owned by the State of Idaho (part of its park system), the Nez Perce—Indian Tribe, the Spalding Museum Foundation, and private landholders. In this triangular-shaped, relatively flat area there are two highways, a railroad, and a number of roads. Several low-standard dwellings, trailer houses, barns, a motel, general store, curio shop, and riding grounds. None of these developments are compatible with the recommended use and the existing roads and railroads are not only unnecessary for visitor use, but contribute to the general poor appearance of the area.

The Spalding Memorial State Park, recently acquired by the National Park Service, has been well-maintained, however, trees have been planted throughout the area that are not compatible with the historic scene. The possibilities for preservation of the historic aspect of the area are good. There are no unusual problems concerning maintenance or operation of the area once the land has been, acquired and improvements made. The roadbed of old Highway 95, passing through the site of Spalding's Mission, is a serious problem; it is to be hoped that both the road and its old bridge across the Clearwater can eventually be removed.

It is proposed that about 160 acres be acquired by the National Park Service at the Spalding site, including scenic easement opposite the area to protect its integrity and the park-like quality.

East Kamiah

There are several homes within the proposed site, each on an acre or more of land. Between the Heart of the Monster and the highway are two industrial enterprises; the Ida-Lew Construction Company, which includes a rock crushing plant, and the Clearwater Heating and Sheet Metal Enterprises.

Across the highway and outside of the proposed boundary are several more houses, a natural gas distributor's yard and office, a rodeo ground and a sawmill. Except for these intrusions across from the site, the general area is mostly unspoiled and possesses natural charm.

The Presbyterian Board of Missions own approximately 40 acres within the proposed boundary, upon which are located a small rural church, several substandard rental homes owned by the church, and the McBeth House, an important historic resource in which people are presently living.

The possibility of preservation of the site is good. Once the modern intrusions are removed and scenic easements acquired, the site, could be made into an outstanding area of much integrity.

It is suggested that about 91 acres of land be acquired at Kamiah, with an additional 30 acres of scenic easement along the east side of U.S. 12.

The Sue McBeth House at East Kamiah.

The majority of the Nez Perce Country is unspoiled, with only a few areas in need of drastic improvement. This scene next to the Heart of the Monster will be improved for it lies within the proposed park boundary at East Kamiah.

White Bird

Very little change has occurred in the natural scene of the White Bird Battlefield since 1877. A small parcel of land in the area in which the fighting began is cultivated. The rest of the site is used for grazing and livestock production. There are no buildings in the area recommended for acquisition, although there are two or three ranch houses and outbuildings on land proposed for easement.

White Bird Battlefield, center, was the site of the first armed conflict between the non-treaty Nez Perce and the U.S. Army. The existing state route 95 crosses from the lower left and wind, up the hills, center. At the time of the battle, the Nez Perce were camped along the stream banks on the White Bird Creek, lower left.

The area is almost completely free of roadside development, billboards, and other intrusions. The site itself is attractive and its restoration to its historical condition would be a relatively minor undertaking.

About 1,250 acres of land are to be acquired at this site, and the acquisition of development rights and scenic easement over an additional 725 acres is needed to preserve the full visual impact of this area.

Canoe Camp

These 3 acres were donated by the State of Idaho in a package with the Spalding site and is an interim interpretive contact station and a rest stop for campers and picnickers. Very little will be necessary for the proper development of this site.

The small A-frame building that has been used as an information office during the summer eventually should be removed and picnicking (5 tables) should be discontinued and the tables removed.

Clearwater Battlefield will be one of the 20 sites interpreted cooperatively with state, local and private interests.

VISITOR USE OF THE RESOURCES

To properly understand the use of the resources by the park visitor, one must understand why visitors are attracted to the area. There are seven types of visitors who come to the Nez Perce Country:

1. The non-resident passing through the area.

2. The local resident, who is proud of the Nez Perce Country and wants to see all of it; a day use sightseer.

3. The history buff interested in Lewis and Clark, Chief Joseph and the War of 1877.

4. The "Indian-phile" interested in the Nez Perces, their traditions and culture.

5. The church-oriented visitors aware of the great missionary story of the area and the Spaldings.

6. The college and university students from nearby institutions who are interested in history, geology, or sociology.

7 The recreationally oriented, who merely want to hunt, fish; swim, or picnic in a pleasant setting.

A typical crowd of visitors could contain all seven types, all seeking something different from Nez Perce National Historical Park. Some of the uses of the areas today are listed and evaluated as conforming or non-conforming uses. Management considerations of visitor use at the four sites administered by the Service are discussed below:

The Spalding area on the Clearwater River will accommodate the major interpretive facility and park headquarters. The Spalding Mission site of 1838-47 is located in the treed area, center. The interpretive and headquarters area will be located on the ridge adjacent to the worn area, arrow.

Spalding

The existing visitor use is primarily recreational; picnicking, lunching, fishing, and swimming are the most popular. Picnicking and lunching are now in the midst of the historic Spalding Mission scene, a scene altered from a dry, treeless area to a pleasant, inviting, shaded picnic area. However, they should be moved to an area where the intrusion upon the historic scene would be at least minimal. Visitors using the area, for fishing and swimming should be directed to other suitable areas.

Presently, there are a few State identification markers at the Spalding Park. The on-site interpretation should be increased so visitors can relate the few traces of history to exhibits in the major interpretive center on the hill overlooking the mission site.

It is suggested interpretive devices be placed at each of the identified sites at Spalding, either along the road, trails, or on the actual site.

Because of the closeness to Lewiston and other large centers of population, the access to the area, and the concentration of the sites at Spalding, visitation should be the highest of the four Service-owned sites. At Spalding, there is something to interest every visitor, unlike White Bird Battlefield whose major interest would be the battle itself.

A rodeo, operated within the park, would cause more problems than benefits to the park visitor because of the location of the rodeo grounds adjacent to the historic area and the limited amount of land available to handle parking for large numbers of visitors. The display of Indian horsemanship and Indian horses should be encouraged in special events and in areas equipped to handle the visitors properly.

The motel and curio operations within the park boundaries should be discontinued because of the non-conforming character of these operations.

East Kamiah

This area is not extensively used by the Visitor. The Heart of the Monster and the McBeth House are not distinguishable from the general scene. Visitors primarily use the area for automobile parking for events at the church or the rodeo.

The Service development here would add greatly to the visitors' understanding and appreciation of the Nez Perce mythology and the missionary story. An interpretive structure placed so that the Heart of the Monster can be interpreted and a park road to the McBeth House together with interpretive devices on-site would be adequate for this area.

The rodeo, on scenic easement land not purchased by the Service, should not be discouraged. The operators of the rodeo should provide adequate on-site parking for their visitors and not intrude on the park's parking area. This traditional western event would aid in the understanding and appreciation of the Nez Perce Country today.

White Bird Battlefield

There is practically no visitation to the battlefield site today. Agriculture, the lack of interpretive and informational signs, and a general lack of knowledge of the events at White Bird Canyon speeds the visitor north to the more developed areas. A few motels and dude ranches cater to the recreationists. Hunters primarily use the area for shooting elk, deer and chukka partridge. There are evidences of people digging on the battlefield for artifacts. Both the hunting and digging must be discontinued.

The Service developments at the battlefield should include an information and interpretation structure; a road connecting the new U.S. 95, the facility and old U.S. 95; pull-offs along the new and old U.S. 95 and, trail access from the old U.S. 95. Interpretive devices should be placed at the vantage points and in some cases directly on-site to provide the maximum benefit of the on-site interpretation. The development should also contain a picnic area for those who have traveled long distances from our other areas and for those who might spend 3 or 4 hours at the site.

White Bird Battlefield. The area suggested for acquisition would encompass nearly all of the low hills in the middle distance. One proposed new route for U.S. Highway 95 would curve in front of the hill on the left; and all proposed routes would run at the base of the high ridge in the background.

A view of White Bird Battlefield from the position of the Army at the beginning of the battle. The proposed interpretive structure will be located on the gently sloping area, arrow, right center. The proposed route of U.S. 95 can be seen as a dark line right above the gentle slope.

Canoe Camp

There is active visitor use of the area at the present time, mostly picnicking. This pleasant rest area between busy U.S. 12 and the rushing Clearwater River invites people to stop and have a picnic or camp under the tall trees. The state has indicated the road will be widened and the existing parking area enlarged. At the present time an A-frame information office is being maintained on the site. There is a large marker designating this area as the Lewis and Clark Canoe Camp.

Because of the great distance from any of our larger Service-owned sites, this area should be un-manned and current visitor use should be restricted to interpretation. This restricted visitor use would in no way affect the quality of interpretation but would affect only the protection and maintenance of this small roadside area.

Lewis and Clark's "Canoe Camp." It was here that the dug out canoes were fashioned which carried the "Company of Explorers" to the Pacific. This 1930 photo shows the stone monument marking the area on the banks of the Clearwater River.

Canoe Camp Site. view across the Clearwater from the place where Lewis and Clark made their canoes to the mouth of the North Fork, showing construction activity related to the Dworshak Dam.