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Train approaching Yellepit area, Washington.
The location of Yellepit is on the left.
View from Washington Highway 730 near mouth of the Walla Walla River.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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Yellepit ...
Lewis and Clark and Yellepit ...
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Lewis and Clark camped for two nights in the Yellepit area in April 1806, on their return east.
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Campsite of April 27-28, 1806 ...
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Lewis and Clark's camp of April 27 and 28, 1806, was on the north side of the Columbia River near Yellepit, Washington, across from the mouth of the Walla Walla River.
While their journals make this clear, their route map [Moulton, vol.1, map#75] puts the camps of April 27, 28, and 29 together on the right bank of the Walla Walla.
April 27, 1806:
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"... the hills ... again approach the river and are rocky abrupt and 300 feet high. we ascended the hill and marched through a high plain for 9 miles when we again returned to the river, I now thought it best to halt as the horses and men were much fatiegued altho had not reached the Wallah wollah village ... while here the principal Cheif of the Wallahwallahs joined us with six men of his nation. this Cheif by name Yel-lept had visited us on the morning of the 19 of October at our encampment a little below this place ... after our scanty repast we continued our march accompanyed by Yellept and his party to the village which we found at the distance of six miles situated on the N. side of the river at the lower side of the low country about 12 ms. below the entrance of Lewis's river ... Yellept haranged his village in our favour intreated them to furnish us with fuel and provision ... we soon found ourselves in possession of an ample stock ... the indians informed us that there was a good road which passed from the S. side of Lewis's river ... we concluded to pass our horses over early in the morning -- ..."
[Lewis, April 27, 1806]
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"... after our Scanty repast we Continued our March accompanied by Yelleppit and his party to the Village which we found at the distance of Six miles, Situated on the North Side of the river. about 16 miles below the enterance of Lewis's river. ... the village Consists of 15 large mat Lodges.
..."
[Clark, April 27, 1806]
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"... after halting about 2 hours we continued our journey to sunset, when we came to a large village of mat-lodges, belonging to a band of the Wal-la-wal-las, who have encamped here on the north side of the river. Here we remained all night ..."
[Gass, April 27, 1806]
April 28, 1806:
- "... being anxious to depart we requested the Cheif to furnish us with Canoes to pass the river, but he insisted on our remaining with him this day at least, that he would be much pleased if we would consent to remain two or 3 days, but he would not let us have Canoes to leave him this day. that he had Sent for the Chim-na-pums his neighbours to come down and join his people this evening and dance for us. We urged the necessity of our proceeding on imediately in order that we might the Sooner return to them, with the articles which they wishd. brought to them but this had no effect, he Said that the time he asked Could not make any Considerable difference. I at length urged that there was no wind blowing and that the river was consequently in good order to pass our horses and if he would furnish us with Canoes for that purpose we would remain all night at our present encampment, to this proposition he assented and Soon produced a Canoe. ... we passed our horses over the river Safely and hobbled them as usial—.
..."
[Clark, April 28, 1806]
April 29, 1806:
- "... This Morning Yelleppit furnished us with 2 Canoes, and We began to transport our baggage over the river; we also Sent a party of the men over to collect our horses. ...
by 11 A. M. we had passed the river with our party and baggage but were detained Several hours in consequence of not being able to Collect our horses. our guide now informed us that it was too late in the evening to reach an eligible place to encamp; that we Could not reach any water before night. we therefore thought it best to remain on the Wallah wallah river about a mile from the Columbia untill the morning, accordingly encampd on the river near a fish Wear. ..."
[Clark, April 29, 1806]
Lewis and Clark's campsite of April 29, 1806 (and their last on the Columbia River) was on the north bank of the
Walla Walla River, a location today under the waters of Lake Wallula, the reservoir behind the McNary Dam.
Lewis and Clark's previous campsite was located on the Washington banks of the Columbia near Plymouth, Washington.
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Early Yellepit ...
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According to the Tacoma Public Library's "Washington Place Names" database (2019):
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"Yellepit ... Yellepit is on the west bank of the Columbia River southeast of Kennewick in southeast Benton County. The name is reported to be that of a great and influentail chief of the Walla Wallas to whom Lewis and Clark presented a medal, a string of wampum and handkerchief. Capt. William Clark described him as a bold handsome Indian, with a dignified countenance about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 8 inches tall.. On their return trip, Lewis and Clark received material assistance from him. The site was once a railroad point having a large depot, a water tank and other buildings but by 1953 when the site was covered with the waters of Lake Wallula there was little remaining to be removed."
The 1918 U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Map, "Wallula" Quadrangle, shows "Yellepit" on the right bank of the Columbia River at River Mile (RM) 311.5, three miles downstream of the current location. This drainage is on the downstream side of a huge basalt face in the Wallula Gap and is across from the Spring Gulch drainage. This area today is labeled "Yellepit Pond" with "Mound Pond" being slightly upstream. These ponds are the result of the filling of Lake Wallula, the reservoir behind the McNary Dam.
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Early Maps ...
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1915 Topographic map detail, Columbia River from Spring Gulch to Wallula.
Includes "Spring Gulch", "Yellepit", "Lasts Island", "Wallula Ferry", "Wallula", and the "Walla Walla River".
Original 1:125,000 U.S. Geological Survey "Wallula Quadrangle, Oregon-Washington", 1916 edition.
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Views ...
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Train passing through basalts in the Yellepit area, Washington.
Location is just downstream of the Yellepit location.
View from Washington Highway 730 near mouth of the Walla Walla River.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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Wallula Gap as seen from Wallula Viewpoint, Washington.
The mouth of the Walla Walla River is just visible on the left behind the Port of Walla Walla. The location of Yellepit is on the right.
Image taken September 25, 2005.
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- Chief Yellepit ...
- David Thompson and Chief Yellepit, 1811 ...
- Jefferson Peace Medal ...
- North Bank Road ...
- North Bank Road and the McNary Dam, 1950 ...
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Chief Yellepit ...
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The town of Yellepit was named after the Chief of the Walla Walla tribe whom Lewis and Clark met both on their journey downstream and again on their return.
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"... The great chief Yel-lep-pet two other chiefs, and a Chief of Band below presented themselves to us verry early this morning. we Smoked with them, enformed them as we had all others above as well as we Could by Signs of our friendly intentions towards our red children Perticular those who opened their ears to our Councils. we gave a Medal, a Handkercheif & a string of Wompom to Yelleppit and a String of wompom to each of the others. Yelleppit is a bold handsom Indian, with a dignified countenance about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 8 inches high and well perpotiond. he requested us to delay untill the Middle of the day, that his people might Come down and See us, we excused our Selves and promised to Stay with him one or 2 days on our return which appeared to Satisfy him; great numbers of Indians Came down in Canoes to view us before we Set out which was not untill 9 oClock A M.
..."
[Clark, October 19, 1805]
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"... while here we were met by the principal Chief of the Wal lah wal lah Nation and Several of his nation. this chief by name Yel lep-pet had visited us on the morning of the 19th of Octr. at our encampment imedeately opposit to us; we gave him at that time a Small medal, and promised him a large one on our return. he appeared much gratified at Seeing us return. he envited us to remain at his village 3 or 4 days and assured us that we Should be furnished with a plenty of Such food as they had themselves, and Some horses to assist us on our journey ..."
[Clark, April 27, 1806]
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David Thompson and Chief Yellepit, 1811 ...
On July 9, 1811, British explorer David Thompson met Chief Yellepit.
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"July 9th, Tuesday.
A stormy night and morning. Wind northesterly. At 6:10 A.M. set off ... to the junction of the Shawpatin River [Snake River] with this, the Columbia. Here I erected a small pole with a half sheet of paper well tied about it, with these words on it: "Know hereby that this country is claimed by Great Britain as part of its territories, and that the N.W. Company of Merchants from Canada, finding the factory for this people inconvenient for them, do hereby intend to erect a factory in this place for the commerce of the country around. D. Thompson, Junction of the Shawpatin River with the Columbia. July 9th, 1811." The Shawpatin River may be about 500 yards wide, troubled waters and a strong current. Indians say when the water is low it is full of rapids and bad. ... At 8:5 A.M. put ashore and at 1/4 P.M. set off. Here I met the principal chief of all the tribes of Shawpatin Indians. He had an American medal of 1801, Thomas Jefferson, and a small flag of that nation. He was a stately good looking man of about 40 years and well dressed. His band was small as he had separated himself for fishing, but he had cousins all around, and they all collected. He had his soldiers, who, when two old respectable chiefs approached went and met them about 100 yards from where we were smoking. I found him intelligent, he was also very friendly, and we discoursed a long time and settled upon the Junction of the Shawpatin River for a House, etc. When he had smoked awhile with the others, he ordered all the women to dance, which they did as usual. He gave me two salmon and I made him a present of 2 feet of tobacco ... See conical mountain right ahead alone and very high, seemingly a mass of snow. ... The country is still a vast plain and getting more and more sandy. The Indians inform us that from the Shawpatin River they go with horses in a day to the foot of the mountain, which is now low and distant, the next day to the other side of the mountain, and the third day among the buffalo, but they fear the Straw Tent Snake Indians with whom they are at war. The course they point out is about east by south. ..."
Editorial Notes of T.C. Elliott, 1914:
"From Pasco, after stopping to post his formal notice, Mr. Thompson descends the Columbia about 60 miles and camps in vicinity of either Castle Rock on the Oregon side or Carley on the Washington side. He spends four hours of the morning talking with Chief Yellepit of the Walla Walla tribe of Shahaptins, the same who entertained Lewis and Clark so sumptuously in 1805-06 as narrated in their journals. On the turn to the soutwestward just above Blalock Island Mt. Hood is sighted ahead of them."
[Excerpts from "Journal of David Thompson, 1811, As Copied from the Original in the Archives of Ontario, Canada", Edited by T.C. Elliott, IN: The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society, vol.15, no.1, March 1914.]
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Jefferson Peace Medal ...
During the early times of the United States, "Peace Medals" were produced as a way the U.S. Government could express their good and peaceful intentions as early American explorers journeyed among the native tribes.
Several variations of Peace Medals exist. The "Washington Season Medals" were made during the second administration of George Washington, and depicted raising cattle, the sowing of wheat, and a woman using a spinning wheel. The "Jefferson Peace Medal" was made during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The face of the medal had a formal bust of President Jefferson in low relief, along with his name and the date he entered office. The reverse showed clasped hands and bore the motto "Peace and Friendship." The Jefferson medals were hollow as the sides were struck separately on thin planchets of silver and then joined by a silver band.
Three sizes of peace medals were made, with diameters of 4", 3", and 2 1/4". Peace medals continued until 1849, with only the image of the President changing.
Lewis and Clark took along three of the large Jefferson medals, 13 of the medium size, 16 small, and 55 of the "Washington Season Medals". They presented them to Native American chiefs along their route.
One was presented to Chief Yellepit.
[More]
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Copy, Jefferson Peace Medal, "down the trodden path", St. Helens, Oregon.
Image taken February 17, 2007.
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Copy, Jefferson Peace Medal, "down the trodden path", St. Helens, Oregon.
Image taken February 17, 2007.
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North Bank Road ...
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The Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railroad, competitors in the transcontinental business, launched the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway in 1905 and built a line along the north side of the Columbia River. This line was known as "The North Bank Railroad", "The North Bank Road", "Columbia River Scenic Route", and "The Northwests Own Railway". The tracks were started in October 1905 and completed in February 1908, with a celebration being held on March 11th at Sheridan Point upstream of the Fort Rains Blockhouse location. On March 19th, regular passenger service between Vancouver and Pasco was begun. The journey took eight hours.
STATIONS ON THE NORTH BANK
Between Vancouver and Pasco There Will Be 43 Stops.
"LYLE, Wash., July 24, 1907. -- (Special.) -- Chief Surgeon Irvine, of the North Bank Road says there will be 43 stations about five miles apart on the line between Vancouver and Pasco. From west to east the stations will appear on the new map as Image, Fisher, Bourne, Seal, Cruzatt, Butler, Cascades, Stevenson, Ash, Collins, Cooks, Hood, Bingen, Villa, Lyle, Skadat, Grandalles, Spedis, Avery, Timms, Columbus, Cliffs, Towal, Harbin, Fountain, Sanda, Roosevelt, Moonax, McCredie, Carley, Luzon, Sage, Patterson, Coolide, Gravel, Plymouth, Colbia, Mottinger, Tomar, Yellepit, Hoover and Finley. He also reports the track is being blasted as fast as laid."
Source:
"Morning Oregonian", July 25, 1907, courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2019.
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[More]
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North Bank Road and the McNary Dam, 1950 ...
Contracts Awarded For Relocation of River Rail Lines
"Award of contract for the construction of 11.6 miles of Spokane, Portland and Seattle railway relocation from Yellepit to Finley, Wash. has been made to Gibbons & Reed company of Salt Lake City, Utah, for $1,548,600,80, Col. Wm. Whipple, Walla Walla district engineer, corps of engineers, announced Monday.
This is the last major contract for the relocation of 34 miles of the S.P.& S. railroad along the Columbia river to make way for the reservoir to be created by McNary dam. ... All work required for the construction of the roadbed is to be completed by January 1, 1951 and all the remaining work by May 1, 1951.
Notice to proceed with the construction of 11.4 miles of Union Pacific railroad relocation along the Columbia river between Sand, Oregon and the Walla Walla river, Washington, has been given the Utah Construction company under terms of a $3,070,709 contract, Col. Whipple announced.
Included under the contract is approximately 10 miles of relocation of state highways 395 and 730. This relocation work is necessry to permit the planned closure of the Columbia river at McNary dam in October, 1950.
The contractor will have ten calendar days after receipt of the notice in which to start the work. One year is allowed for completion.
Source:
"Heppner Gazette-times", February 23, 1950, original courtesy Historic Oregon Newspapers Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, 2015.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, October 18, 1805, first draft ...
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S. E. 1 ½ miles to mo. of a <Creek> river 40 yds wide [Walla Walla River] under a high
Clift. in the Lard. bend here the river enters the high
countrey rising abt. 200 feet above the Water [Wallula Gap] large black
rocks makeing out from Lard. half across the river and
some distance from Stard. Side [Columbia River Basalt].
S. 12° W. 4 miles to a point of rocks in a Lard. Bend passed a Small
Isd. passed a 2d at 2 miles, on its upr. Point 2 Lodges of
Indians fishing at a rapid opsd. the lower point psd. 9
Lodges of Indians fishing on an Island on the Stard. Side
below about 1 mile 5 Lodges on the Stard. Side, passed a
Island in middle of river at 3 m.
we Encamped a little below & opsd. the lower point of the Island on the Lard. Side [Spring Gulch Creek] no wood to be found we were obliged to make use Small drid willows to Cook- our old Chief informed us that the great Chief of all the nations [Chief Yellepit] about lived at the 9 Lodges above and wished us to land &c. he Said he would go up and Call him over they went up and did not return untill late at night, about 20 came down & built a fire above and Stayed all night. The chief brought a basket of mashed berries.
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Clark, October 18, 1805 ...
Clark, October 19, 1805 ...
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The great chief Yel-lep-pet two other chiefs, and a Chief of Band below presented themselves to us verry early this morning. we Smoked with them, enformed them as we had all others above as well as we Could by Signs of our friendly intentions towards our red children Perticular those who opened their ears to our Councils. we gave a Medal, a Handkercheif & a string of Wompom to Yelleppit and a String of wompom to each of the others. Yelleppit is a bold handsom Indian, with a dignified countenance about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 8 inches high and well perpotiond. he requested us to delay untill the Middle of the day, that his people might Come down and See us, we excused our Selves and promised to Stay with him one or 2 days on our return which appeared to Satisfy him; great numbers of Indians Came down in Canoes to view us before we Set out which was not untill 9 oClock A M.
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Clark, April 27, 1806 ...
This morning we were detained untill 9 A M in consequence of the absence of one of Shabono's horses. the horse being at length recovered we Set out and to the distance of 15 miles passed through a Country Similar to that of yesterday. (passed Muscle Shell rapid) [Umatilla Rapids at the location of today's McNary Dam]
and at the experation of this distance again approached the river, and are rocky abrupt and 300 feet high [basalts of Wallula Gap]. we assended the hill [on the north and west sides of the Wallula Gap] and marched through a high plain 10 miles where we again returned to the river [Columbia River]. we halted altho we had not reached the Wal-lah-lal-lah village as we had been led to believe by our guide who informed us that the village was that the place we Should next return to the river, ...,
made a Small fire and boiled a Small quantity of our <boiled> jurked meat on which we dined;
while here we were met by the principal Chief of the Wal lah wal lah Nation and Several of his nation. this chief by name Yel lep-pet had visited us on the morning of the 19th of Octr. at our encampment imedeately opposit to us
[Spring Gulch Creek];
we gave him at that time a Small medal [Jefferson Peace Medal]
, and promised him a large one on our return. he appeared much gratified at Seeing us return. he envited us to remain at his village 3 or 4 days and assured us that we Should be furnished with a plenty of Such food as they had themselves, and Some horses to assist us on our journey.
after our Scanty repast we Continued our March accompanied by Yelleppit and his party to the Village which we found at the distance of Six miles, Situated on the North Side of the river [near the former Washington town of Yellepit]. about 16 miles below the enterance of Lewis's river [Snake River]. This Chief is a man of much influence not only in his own nation but also among the neignbouring tribes and nations.— the village Consists of 15 large mat Lodges.
...
the Indians informed us that there was a good road Which passed from the Columbia opposit to this Village to the enterance of Kooskooske [Clearwater River] on the S. Side of Lewis's river [Snake River], they also informed us, there were a plenty of Deer and Antilopes on the road with good water and grass. we knew that a road in that direction if the Country would permit it would Shorten the rout at least 80 miles. the Indians also inform us that the County was leavel and the road good, under those circumstances we did not hesitate in pursueing the rout recommended by our guide and Corroberated by Yetleppit and others. we Concluded to pass our horses over early in the morning.— made 31 miles to day—
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Lewis, April 27, 1806 ...
This morning we were detained untill 9 A. M. in consequence of the absence of one of Charbono's horses. the horse at length being recovered we set out and at the distance of fifteen miles passed through a country similar to that of yesterday; the hills at the extremity of this distance again approach the river and are rocky abrupt and 300 feet high [Wallula Gap]. we ascended the hill and marched through a high plain for 9 miles when we again returned to the river [Columbia River], I now thought it best to halt as the horses and men were much fatiegued altho had not reached the Wallah wollah village as we had been led to beleive by our guide who informed us that the village was at the place we should next return to the river, ...
while here the principal Cheif of the Wallahwallahs joined us with six men of his nation. this Cheif by name Yel-lept' had visited us on the morning of the 19 of October at our encampment a little below this place
[Spring Gulch]; we gave him at that time a small medal, and promised him a larger one on our return. he appeared much gratifyed at seeng us return, invited us to remain at his village three or four days and assured us that we should be furnished with a plenty of such food as they had themselves; and some horses to assist us on our journey. after our scanty repast we continued our march accompanyed by Yellept and his party to the village which we found at the distance of six miles situated on the N. side of the river at the lower side of the low country [near the former town of Yellepit] about 12 ms. below the entrance of Lewis's river [Snake River]. This Cheif is a man of much influence not only in his own nation but also among the neighbouring tribes and nations. --- This Village consists of 15 large mat lodges. ...
the indians informed us that there was a good road which passed from the columbia opposite to this village to the entrance of the Kooskooske [Clearwater River] on the S. side of Lewis's river [Snake River]; they also informed us, that there were a plenty of deer and Antelopes on the road, with good water and grass. we knew that a road in that direction if the country would permit would shorten our rout at least 80 miles. the indians also informed us that the country was level and the road good, under these circumstances we did not hesitate in pursuing the rout recommended by our guide whos information was corroberated by Yellept & others. we concluded to pass our horses over early in the morning.—
Gass, April 27, 1806 ...
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The morning was cloudy with some light showers of rain; and about 9 o'clock we proceeded on through the plains, accompanied by a great many of the natives. Some light showers of rain fell at intervals during the day; and after halting about 2 hours we continued our journey to sunset, when we came to a large village of mat-lodges, belonging to a band of the Wal-la-wal-las, who have encamped here on the north side of the river. Here we remained all night, and the natives were good enough to supply us with some faggots of brush, they had gathered in the plains from the sage bushes, which grow in great abundance on some part of these plains and are very large.
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Ordway, April 27, 1806 ...
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a little rain fell the latter part of last night. we Set out as usal and proceed. on Soon passd. a Small village of 3 lodges then assended a high plain where we Saw an extensive country around us & not a tree to be Seen came about 20 miles before we halted & delayed a Short time eat a little dry meat & let our horses feed a Short time and proceed on about 5 miles further and arived at a large village of the wal-a-wal tribe, at the commencement of a low barron Smooth country where we Camped. bought a fat dog to each mess. these natives are numerous their is another village on the opposite Side of the river & a great number of horses. we get different kinds of roots and fresh Salmon trout & Suckers &C. all these Savages are glad to See us and appear verry friendly.—
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