Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Population: 59,844
Area: 1,270 square miles
County Seat: Walla Walla
OVERVIEW
Walla Walla County can be found in southeastern part of Washington State. It borders on Columbia County to the East, Benton County to the west and Franklin County to the northwest. And on the south it shares borders with Oregon State, Umatilla County.
The economy of Walla Walla County is based on agriculture with wheat being the main crop cultivated here. Peas, corn, asparagus, onions, barley and various vegetables are also growing here.
The county is well-known for its Sweet Onion, which was developed by Walla Walla growers throughout several generations and in 2007 became the state vegetable of the State of Washington.
Walla Walla County is home for two farms, which are considered to be the biggest in the world – the Snake River Vineyard, which is renowned as the largest vineyard growing Concord grapes, and Broetje Orchards, growing apples.
Wine industry has also been rapidly developing in the county throughout last half of a century, with more than 100 wineries created only in Walla Walla Valley.
The county was named after the Native Americans tribe with the same name – Walla Walla. The name “Walla Walla” has several translations, the most often used are “little river” and “the place of many waters”.
HISTORY
The first historical records about this county were made in 1818, when the Fort Nez Perce was created with the purpose of trading with local tribes of Native Americans,
including Walla Walla tribe. Later the fort’s name was changed to Fort Walla Walla. In 1856 Fort Walla Walla was made a military fort for the US Army. At the present time the Fort Walla Walla has undergone restoration and some of its initial buildings were retained. Now they form a part of Fort Walla Walla Museum.
The county itself was established in 1854 by separation from Skamania County. And in 1859 the Walla Walla village became the county seat.
COUNTY SEAT
The city of Walla Walla is the county seat of Walla Walla County and nowadays is the biggest city in the county. Its initial name used to be Steptoeville, given after Colonel
Edward Steptoe, but it 1859 the name was changed for Walla Walla.
The city is proud of being a home of the Washington State first bank (Baker Boyer National Bank), which was established in 1869. You can still find its building at Downtown Walla Walla.
There is a great variety of different arts organizations in Walla Walla, and a large number of venues for diverse art performances.
Having a lot of various water resources, (Walla Walla River, Bennington Lake, numerous ponds, etc) the city offers numerous possibilities for fishing, hunting and wildlife watching.
ATTRACTIONS
Fort Walla Walla Museum
Fort Walla Walla Museum, ia located on 15 acres of the land, belonging to Fort Walla Walla Park. The museum has 4 exhibit halls and a large amount of outdoor exhibits, including the Pioneer Village with its 17 buildings.
On weekends the museum is creating the living historical performances and various kids’ programs.
The numerous topical exhibitions include agriculture, textile, and transportation exhibitions, as well as a military exhibition, telling the story of Walla Walla city and its citizens during two World Wars, showing the aircrafts, uniforms, weapons and much more items of war times.
There is also a big playground and a gift shop at the museum territory.
McNary National Wildlife Refuge
Created in 1956 the McNary National Wildlife Refuge was aiming to restore the wildlife natural surroundings damaged and destroyed due to building of the McNary Dam, located downstream.
Now, located on the eastern bank of Columbia River, McNary National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most important places for the migrating birds, especially for waterfowl and shorebirds, in the State of Washington. This is a perfect place for people enjoying wildlife and bird watching, a home for many species of raptors, reptiles, some amphibians and mammal species.
The wine tourism is extremely popular in Walla Walla County, with a lot of wineries and cellars available for visiting and wine tasting.
Information: Svetlana Baranova
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