Dayton
Visiting Dayton while you’re in the Walla Walla Valley is time well spent. Just a 30-minute drive east of Walla Walla, you’ll go through some of the area’s richest farm land. And you’ll see some of Washington state’s most historic sites. The Columbia County Courthouse is the oldest “working” courthouse in the state. The fully restored Dayton Historical Depot, built in 1882 and used until 1971, is the oldest railroad depot in Washington. In all, there are 117 Dayton buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the Depot and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. Dayton has a colorful history. Lewis & Clark explored the area. It was homesteaded in 1859. Jesse Day registered the community in 1871. Much of the downtown and many homes were destroyed by fire in 1881.

For more information about Dayton call 509-382-4825, 1-800-882-6299 or visit www.historicdayton.com.

Milton-Freewater
Just across the Washington-Oregon border, about 10 miles south of Walla Walla, you can visit Milton-Freewater. Pioneers settled the area more than 100 years ago. Billed as the “Apple Capital of Oregon,” the community is populated with roadside stands selling fresh fruits and vegetables, including locally harvested apples, cherries, plums, asparagus, and onions in season. A highlight of your visit will be the Frazier Farmstead Museum. The complex, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes a turn-of-the-century home with many original furnishings. You might also plan to attend the famed Muddy Frogwater Festival, a major community celebration always held the 3rd weekend in August.

For additional information on visiting Milton-Freewater, please contact the Milton Freewater Chamber of Commerce at 1-541-938-5563 or visit their website at www.mfchamber.com.

Waitsburg
Less that 20 minutes east of Walla Walla, Waitsburg is the home of the Bruce Memorial Museum. Built by pioneers Wiliam Perry and Caroline Bruce in 1883, and now featured on the National Register of Historic Places, the house has been carefully restored by the Waitsburg Historical Society and is now operated as a museum. Waitsburg is unique for at least one other reason. Founded in 1865, the town government is the only one in Washington state still operating under the terms of its original territorial charter.

You can learn more about Waitsburg by contacing the Merchants Club at P.O. Box 451, Waitsburg, WA 99361, or by calling 1-509-337-6371, or visit their website at www.cityofwaitsburg.com.

Pendleton
Want to tour underground? Then drive south about 30 minutes to nearby Pendleton, Oregon, where you can visit the tunnel homes of Chinese railroad workers and underground businesses that thrived there over 100 years ago (reservations are recommended for the 90-minute tour - call 1-541-276-0730). There is much more to offer, too! Visit the birthplace of the renowned Pendleton woolen products or stop by the Round-Up Hall of Fame Museum at the site of the famous Pendleton Round-Up. Between Walla Walla and Pendleton, you can visit the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute to experience the history of the Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla Tribes.

For more information on activities and events in the Pendleton area, call 1-800-547-8911 or visit their website at www.pendletonchamber.com.