Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
junction of the Walla Walla and Columbia Rivers. The fort soon became a center for fur trade in the region. Fearing Native American attacks,
the company built two strong outer walls and armed the men heavily; it was soon being called the “Gibraltar of the Columbia.” In 1821, the
British-owned Hudson's Bay Company took over the business, later renaming it Fort Walla Walla. The fear of attacks intensified, and in 1856 the
company abandoned the fort rather than risking capture. The fort's commander ordered his men to dump the black powder and shot balls into the
Columbia River to keep them out of Cayuse hands. Shortly after his men abandoned the fort, American Indian warriors burned it to the ground.
Two years later a new Fort Walla Walla rose, this time as a U.S. Army military garrison farther up the river. This fort would eventually become
the center around which the city of Walla Walla grew. The original fort site later grew into the town of Wallula, but in the late 1940s, construction
began on the McNary Dam downstream along the Columbia River. After its completion, the old town and fort site were inundated, and the town's
residents moved to higher ground.
Wineries
Walla Walla Valley is one of Washington state's eight official viticultural appellations and is best known for cabernet sauvignon, merlot, riesling,
and chardonnay grapes. There are dozens of wineries in and around town. As you head close to city limits from the west, you'll encounter the very
attractive
Three Rivers Winery
(5641 West Hwy. 12, 509/526-9463,
www.threeriverswinery.com
, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. daily). The tasting room and
winery building sit on a bank overlooking the vineyard and a large grassy area with a small three-hole pitch-and-putt course. The building itself is
an impressive combination of river rock, pitched roofs, and warm-red exposed wooden beams. Inside there's a river rock bar and fireplace to keep
you cozy while tasting. Try the estate-grown gewürtztraminer; it is superb.
Visit
Woodward Canyon Winery
(11920 W. Hwy. 12, 509/525-4129,
www.woodwardcanyon.com
, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. daily), about 10 miles
west of town in Lowden, for a taste of top-quality chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The $5 tasting fee is refundable with any purchase.
L'Ecole
No. 41 Winery
(509/525-0940,
www.lecole.com
, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. daily), also in Lowden, specializes in semillon and merlot wines. The tasting
room is an old schoolhouse—relax by doodling on the chalkboard as you sip. Tasting fees are a refundable $5.
Other notable Walla Walla wineries include the largest local winery,
Waterbrook
Winery
(31 E. Main St., 509/522-1262,
www.waterbrook.com
, 10 A.M.-6 P.M. Sun.-Thurs, 10 A.M.-8 P.M. Fri.-Sat.).
The Arts
The
Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra
(26 E. Main, 509/529-8020,
www.wwsymphony.com
)
has been performing since 1907 and is the oldest
continuously performing symphony in the West. Its season runs October-May, with the special Mares 'n' Music performance falling in June.
Founded in 1944, the
Walla Walla Little Theatre
(1130 E. Sumach, 509/529-3683,
www.ltww.org
) is a community theater that produces four
plays each season.
Harper Joy Theatre
at Whitman University (345 Boyer, 509/527-5180) also stages several student productions each year, and
the local community college puts on
Outdoor Summer Musical
productions at Fort Walla Walla amphitheater each July.
Art buffs will want to visit the
Clyde and Mary Harris Gallery
(509/527-2600) at Walla Walla College, focusing on faculty, student, and re-
gional shows. Other galleries include the
Sheehan Gallery
(509/527-5249,
www.whitman.edu/sheehan
)
at Whitman College, home of the Davis
Collection of Asian Art. The
Carnegie Art Center
(109 S. Palouse, 509/525-4270,
www.carnegieart.com
, 11 A.M.-4:30 P.M. Tues.-Sat., free)
sits on the site of the historic 1855 Great Indian Council. Once a public library, the 1904 building is home to a pottery studio and a changing
gallery of largely regional artwork.
Festivals and Events
A popular event with photographers is the
Walla Walla Balloon Stampede
held in mid-May. The Northwest's signature hot-air balloon rally
stages concerts, arts and crafts displays, and plenty of food to go along with the racing fun. A big
Fourth of July
at Pioneer Park is followed by
the
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Harvest Festival
a week later. Labor Day weekend's
Walla Walla Frontier Days Fair & Rodeo
(509/527-3247)
brings ropin', wrasslin', racin', and ridin' to the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. In mid-September, the
Fall Harvest and Community Festival
at Fort Walla Walla Museum provides a chance to learn about pioneer life.
Cycling
Enjoy the bike path from Cambridge Drive to Rooks Park, or from 9th and Dalles Military Road to Myra Road. For a more adventurous ride, head
out scenic Old Milton Highway south of town. It's especially pretty in the fall.
