Historical Picture of the Day- Colonel Steptoe/Fort Walla Walla.

        The historical picture for today is that of Colonel Edward J. Steptoe. The small town of Walla Walla, in southeastern Washington, for a time was named after him and his significance in the establishment of a tiny outpost that was located east of the junction between the Snake and Columbia rivers, that came to be known first as Steptoeville, and then changed later to Walla Walla. Before the town council met in 1859, Walla Walla, Washington was named "Steptoeville" in honor of Colonel Steptoe, and his conquests of the Couer d'Alene, Spokane and Palouse Indians. Most notably was his infamous battle at Steptoe Butte, which resulted in his defeat and retreat, where he buried two of his artillery cannons. The small river northeast of Walla Walla was named after this battle, the Tucannon River. However, Steptoeville would be changed at the discretion of the town council in 1859 to Walla Walla, which is the Nez Perce Indian word for "many waters," referring to the various streams located throughout the Walla Walla Valley. It is often overlooked and even unknown the major significance Steptoe had in the early foundation of the Walla Walla Valley and the surrounding areas.