Asa Smith Mission

Sign at highway pullout

Quick Facts

Location:

46°13'20.76"N 116°0'33.79"W

Significance:

Site of historic protestant mission on the Nez Perce reservation

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

MANAGED BY:

Private Property, Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho State Historical Society

Amenities

2 listed

Information, Parking - Auto

In 1838, Asa Smith and his wife, Sarah, went west and for two years established their home and church near present day Kamiah, Idaho. After creating a mission in Kamiah, Smith created a census of the Nez Perce and wrote the first Nez Perce dictionary and grammar, unwittingly taking the first steps in saving the Nez Perce language. The Smiths were ordered to leave Kamiah after some Nez Perce members were implicated in a beating of a trader at Fort Walla Walla. 

Getting to Asa Smith Mission

A historical marker with information about Asa Smith Mission is located on U.S. Highway 12, approximately one mile east of Kamiah, Idaho.

Driving to Asa Smith Mission

From Kamiah, Idaho, turn right onto U.S. Highway 12 E/3rd St (signs for Kooskia/Missoula). Continue to follow U.S. Highway 12 E for 1.3 miles. The highway pullout will be on the right.

Things to Do at Asa Smith Mission

Exploring the Site

The Asa Smith Mission is an affiliated site of the Nez Perce National Historical Park that is located on private property, and is not accessible to the public. However, there is a pullout off of U.S. Highway 12 about two miles upstream of the actual mission site that has interpretive signs explaining the mission.