Kittitas History
1814
First White Man
Alexander Ross, a fur trader for John Jacob Astor, travels to the Kittitas Valley in search of horses. He is the first known white man to enter the valley.
1848
Catholic Mission
July – Father Pandosy, Chirouse, and G. Blanchet establish Immaculate Conception, a Catholic mission, near Manastash Creek.
1853
First Government Expedition
Lt. George B. McClellan leads the first government expedition into the Kittitas Valley. He was conducting a survey for construction of a railroad in “Nahcheez” and Snoqualmie passes.
1855-1856
Yakama Indian War
1860s
Cattlemen Arrive
Cattlemen including Ben Snipes bring herds to graze in the Kittitas Valley
1863
Cattlemen Arrive
Ferguson County is created and includes much of modern Kittitas and Yakima Counties. County is soon disbanded.
1863
Small Cabin Built
William (Bud) Wilson builds a small cabin on a creek (later known as Wilson Creek)
1863
First accepted land survey performed.
1863
Charles Spawn Move
Charles Splawn (brother of Andrew Jackson Splawn) moves to the valley at Taneum.