Welcome to Wai-i-lat-pu Historical Marker, located in the heart of Walla Walla County, Washington. This marker stands as an emblem of the rich history that shaped this region. As you stand here, let your imagination take you back in time to 1836 when Dr. Marcus Whitman established the Wai-i-lat-pu mission among the Cayuse people.

The mission was not only a spiritual center but also a crucial agricultural hub that provided sustenance for travelers during harsh winters. The crops and livestock raised here played an essential role in nourishing the mission family as well as fostering trade with other tribes. Located near the Walla Walla River, which gave this area its name – The Place of the People of the Rye Grass – the mission was a beacon of hope and resilience during those early years.

Wai-i-lat-pus significance extended beyond its agricultural contributions. In 1836, a Hawaiian named Jack, along with another unnamed Hawaiian, helped Dr. Whitman establish the mission. Furthermore, Joseph Maki, one of the first white children born in Oregon Territory, called this place home.

Today, you can find the Wai-i-lat-pu Historical Marker just 8 miles west of Walla Walla on Highway 12 near the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. As you stand here, take a moment to appreciate the missions historical importance and its role in shaping the region we see today. The marker serves as a vivid reminder of the challenges and triumphs experienced by those who braved the untamed wilderness of the American West over two centuries ago.

Now let your journey through history continue as you explore other significant landmarks that shaped this area and the nation at large.