Lowden, Washington

Lowden is an unincorporated community in Walla Walla County, Washington, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 12 between Tri-Cities and Walla Walla. The Woodward Canyon Winery is located there. Also located there is the l'Ecole 41 Winery which is located in the what used to be the old Lowden Elementary School.

The Battle of Walla Walla, also known as the Battle of Frenchtown (December 7–10, 1855), the longest Indian battle in the history of Washington Territory, occurred near Lowden in 1855. The battle resulted from a response to a call from U.S. Army Major Gabriel Rains for assistance following the resistance by the Walla Walla tribe to a not yet ratified treaty and the premature opening of their lands to whites. The Walla Walla tribe had raided a trading post at Fort Walla Walla, and their chief, Peopeomoxmox (also known as Yellow Bird), had reportedly vowed to kill Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens. Responding to Major Rains' call, about 350 troops of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers marched from the Willamette Valley and established Fort Henrietta on the Umatilla River. After inspecting the abandoned Fort Walla Walla trading post, they marched towards the Touchet River to punish the tribe.

Chief Peopeomoxmox met them under a white flag of truce and at their insistence, he and four other men became their hostages to prevent an immediate attack on his village. The Oregon Volunteers then left the Walla Walla camp with their hostages in tow. Planning on establishing a winter camp at the old Whitman Mission, the soldiers and their hostages moved along the Touchet River and started up the valley. However, they were soon pursued by an estimated 1,000 Walla Walla, Cayuse, Palouse and Yakama warriors.

The four-day battle took place east of present-day Walla Walla in the vicinity of Lowden. The running battle began at the mouth of the Touchet River, along what was called Frenchtown, a collection of French-Canadian fur trader cabins that extended from near today’s Walla Walla to west of present-day Lowden.

The out-numbered and ill-equipped Volunteers set up their field headquarters and hospital in a cabin owned by Joseph Larocque and his wife Lizette Walla Walla. They quickly enclosed the cabin perimeter in a stockade, which they called Fort Bennett. The battle took place east of the cabin. On the first day of the battle, the five Walla Walla hostages, including Chief Peopeomoxmox were killed by the soldiers. The Chief’s body was found mutilated and dismembered. After four days, with the Volunteers running low on ammunition, they fled to Fort Henrietta and the Indians withdrew. (source: www.legendsofamerica.com; Washington State Indian Wars)

Compiled by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, May, 2012.

Coordinates: 46°03′22″N 118°35′09″W / 46.05611°N 118.58583°W / 46.05611; -118.58583

Other business located there: Dunning Irrigation Supply