History

WAHKIAKUM COUNTY (wuh-KI-uh-kuhm), the 37th largest county in Washington, was created by the territorial legislature in 1854. The name comes from a Kathlamet Indian village located on the north bank of the Columbia River near the present town of Cathlamet. Chief Wakaiyakam, whose name the village took, is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Cathlamet. Wahkiakum means “tall timber” in Chinook. 

Lewis and Clark

Overview
In 1803, when was President of the United States, the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. This was a huge tract of over 800,000 square miles, taking in nearly the entire mid-section of North America from present-day Texas and Louisiana up to Montana and North Dakota. This almost doubled the size of the new country.

Much of the new territory was unexplored. Jefferson decided to send an expedition up the Missouri River to its source in the western mountains and beyond to the Pacific Ocean. Jefferson hoped that the expedition would be able to find the elusive Northwest Passage, a water route across the country, which would be a great boon to commerce.

In May, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an amazing expedition across the Louisiana Territory. These true American heroes faced unknown people, harsh conditions and unexplored lands to secure a place in history as two of the world's greatest explorers. One of the most famous expedition's stops along the way was in Wahkiakum County. This is where they saw the Ocean for the first time and the quote " Great joy in camp we are in viuew of the Ocian"

The Journals
These are notes from the Lewis and Clark Journals that apply to our County We have 8 Historical sites for visitors to learn more about their stops and experiences in our county.

November 1, 1805
William Clark
The[y] press the female childrens heads between 2 bords when young until they form the skul as they wish it which is generally verry flat. This amongst those people is considered as a great mark of buty, and is practised in all the tribes we have passed on this river more or less. Men take more of the drugery off the women than is common with Indians.

November 5, 1805
William Clark
Rained all the after part of last night, rain continues this morning, I [s]lept but verry little last night for the noise Kept [up] dureing the whole of the night by the Swans, Geese, white & Grey Brant Ducks &c. ... they were emensely noumerous, and their noise horid.

This is certainly a fertill and a handsom valley, at this time crouded with Indians. ... we are all wet cold and disagreeable ... This is the first night which we have been entirely clear of Indians since our arrival on the waters of the Columbia River.

November 7, 1805
William Clark
Sold us ... three dogs ...

... Speake a language different from the nativs above with whome they trade for the Wapato roots of which they make great use of as food. their houses differently built, ... Strans of bark ... hang ... from the waist, the whole being of Suff[i]cent thickness when the female Stands erect to conceal those parts useally covered from familiar view, but when she stoops or places herself in any other attitude this batter of Venus is not altogether impervious to the penetrating eye of the amorite.

... here we purchased a Dog ... Two Indians accompanied us from the last village, they we detected in Stealing a knife and returned, the river being too wide to See either the form Shape or Size of the Islands on the Lard Side.

Great joy in camp we are in viuew of the Ocian, this great Pacific Octean which we been so long anxious to See. and the roreing or noise made by the waves brakeing on the rockey Shores (as I suppose) may be heard disti[n]ctly

To follow the Lewis and Clark trail, click here to learn more.

For information about Cathlamet's Pioneer Museum

Did you know?

Our very own Wahkiakum County has a navy ship named after it? Curious? Read more...