Fort Walla Walla (2)

Fort Walla Walla (1856-1911) - First established 23 Sep 1856 as a U.S. Army post by Maj. Edward J. Steptoe and 9th U.S. Infantry troops at a temporary site west of the city. Moved to another temporary site at 1st and Main in present day Walla Walla. Finally moved to current location now occupied by the VA Hospital. Abandoned 11 Mar 1911.

Fort Walla Walla officer's Row	Fort Walla Walla Officer's Quarters Duplexes
Fort Walla Walla Commanding Officer's Quarters
Fort Walla Walla Barracks

Fort Walla Walla (2) History

First Site - Established in 23 Sep 1856 by Maj. Edward J. Steptoe and 9th U.S. Infantry troops as a stockaded blockhouse at a temporary site west of the city.

Second Site - Located in November 1856 at another temporary site at 1st and Main in present day Walla Walla. Built as a blockhouse surrounded by temporary huts.

Third Site - Located at a site now occupied by the VA Hospital. Intermittently garrisoned after 1864, the fort was finally garrisoned and built out as a permanent six company fort. The facilities included the commanding officer's quarters, five sets of duplex officer's quarters, two large barracks and other supporting buildings.

The fort was the headquarters for Maj. Edward J. Steptoe and the 9th U.S. Infantry operations against local Indian tribes in May 1858 when Maj. Steptoe's 159 man command engaged in a running battle with the hostile Indians. Maj. Steptoe was forced to retreat with his command back to Fort Walla Walla on the night of 17 May 1858. The defeat caused the Army to mount a full scale campaign later that year that successfully subjugated the hostile Indians.

The site was abandoned by the Army on 11 Mar 1911.

Current Status

On the grounds of the JM Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center, Walla Walla, Washington. The parade ground and many buildings remain. Most of the buildings have been repurposed by the VA but they retain much of the original look. A separate Fort Walla Walla Museum is located west of the actual site with an entrance off SE Myrard Road and is not directly associated with the actual fort site. The entrance to the VA grounds is located at Chestnut St. and 13th Ave.

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Location: Walla Walla VA Hospital Grounds, Walla Walla Washington Maps & Images Lat: 46.052714 Long: -118.357236 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 904'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 838

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Walla Walla (2)
• Fort Walla Walla Museum

Visited: 15 May 2010

Fort Walla Walla (2) Picture Gallery

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  Fort Walla Walla Parade Ground
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  Fort Walla Walla Museum Sign
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  Fort Walla Walla Museum