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Lapwai, “Valley of the butterflies”
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Canvas tipi set up at Spalding Visitor Center
Located along US Highway 95-not far from the present town of Lewiston, is a small 99 acre park, containing an historical cemetery, buildings, interpretive signs and a park.
Since 1897, the area was and is known as the “Spalding site.” Today, it is also the site of the Nez Perce National Historical Park.
It’s original Nez Perce name was Lapwai-meaning “lap-lap,” which referred to the sounds a b.jpg)
utterfly made with its wings. Due to the abundance of butterflies in the valley, the area was known as the “Valley of Butterflies or Land or Place of the Butterfly.”
As early as 1805, Lewis & Clark passed through this valley on their journey to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis and Clark’s interpreter, incorrectly transcribed the Nez Perce name as a French phrase meaning “Pierced Nose,” when in fact, that was not the case.
The Nez Perce call themselves, Nimi'ipuu, which means the "real people" or "we the people." A Nez Perce tribal elder recalled a word before Nimi'ipuu, which was Cuupn'itpel'uu. It meant “before we had horses,” or “we walked out of the woods,” or walked out of the mountains.”
In 1836, the Rev. Henry Spalding and his wife-Presbyterian missionaries recruited by Dr. Whitman-another Presbyterian missionary, were asked to accompany him and his wife to the west to establish several missions. Dr. Whitman set up his in Walla Walla and Henry Spalding set up his, some twelve miles up the Clearwater in Lapwai.
Three years later, in 1839, Rev. Spalding was the recipient of a used printing press. It’s interesting to note, that the press was the first one in the Pacific Northwest. Rev. Spalding used his press to print and publish the bible. (As you will see as I reveal his story, Rev. Spalding and his family had many firsts!).
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Change came quickly to the area. By 1848, it was part of the Oregon Territory. In 1855, the Nez Perce Indian Reservation was established here. In 1863, the “Valley of the butterflies,” had become part of the Idaho Territory. During the gold rush of 1860, Fort Lapwai was established. Federal troops were stationed here in order to keep the peace between the Indians and the influx of miners looking for gold. Fort Lapwai remained in use, until 1885
Today, the “Valley of the Butterflies,” remains as the seat of the Nez Perce Indian Nation.
Next up: The Spaldings
Sources/References/Credits:
Images:
National Park Center
Canvas tipi set up at Spalding Visitor Center
Wikimedia Commons
Nez Perce Man 1899
Wikipedia
Nez Perce Camp-Lapwai-1899
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