The Tiny Town In Washington Where Huge Things Happened

Frenchtown, Washington's current population is 1,825, but it seems even smaller. Located on the outskirts of Walla Walla, it's the definition of a sleepy little town. You'd never know it was once the site of an epic (and bloody) battle and several other historic events.

This land has weathered the Missoula Floods and the ash of Mt. Mazama and Mt. St. Helens.

The Lewis & Clark expedition passed through, as did Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan, and many early explorers and missionaries (including the ill-fated Whitman family).

But the most famous historic event that occurred here was the last battle between white settlers and Native Americans in the Walla Walla Valley.

The longest Indian battle in the history of Washington Territory was fought here in 1855, from the 7th to the 10th of December.

The Battle of Walla Walla at Frenchtown involved about 350 Oregon Mounted Volunteers and an estimated thousand Walla Walla, Cayuse, Palouse, and Yakama warriors.

The four day battle killed Walla Walla Chief Peopeomoxmox and quite a few others on both sides. When the Oregon Volunteers started running low on ammunition, they fled to Fort Henrietta and the Indians withdrew.

After the Battle of Walla Walla, Frenchtown was never the same. Some settlers stayed, while others decided to go back to wherever they were from.

These days, it's a peaceful community -- and while there's not much to it, you will find the winery L'Ecole No. 41 in the old school house.

Sometimes it's the smallest, quietest spots that have the most interesting stories.

There's so much about our state history they won't always tell you in school.

If you're interested in learning more, you can visit The Frenchtown Historic site on Highway 12 just outside of Walla Walla, where you can check out the oldest standing cabin in the state. And while you're at it, check out these historic gems as well.