Walla Walla,
Washington features a centralized location, six miles outside of
Oregon and less than a five hour drive from the beautiful
City of Seattle. Walla Walla's location in southeastern Washington offers
the backdrop of the enchanting
Blue and
Wallowa mountain ranges. Renowned explorers
Lewis and Clark found their way to this pastoral community in 1805, while on
assignment for
President Thomas Jefferson.
As the seat and largest city of
Walla Walla County, this colorful WA community holds a population of 29,686
(Census
2000 data). Nearly 57,000 residents live within the borders of Walla Walla
County. Walla Walla offers civic, social, and religious programs, in addition to
the many educational and sports related clubs.
Walla Walla has several fine options for
public and
private schooling, with numerous higher learning facilities within a
reasonable driving distance.
Whitman College, ranks among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the
prestigious
Princeton Review. Also known as the birthplace of the widely touted 'Magic:
The Gathering’ card trading game, Whitman College is Washington’s oldest
campus.
Walla Walla College and
Walla Walla Community College are each located partially within the city
limits, and partially in the
City of College Place.
This bustling college town provides arts and
crafts fairs, concerts, theatrical productions, and fascinating lectures for the
locals throughout the year. Walla Walla residents enjoy exciting celebrations
such as the
Hot Air Balloon Stampede in May, July 4th in the Park, the Southeast
Washington Rodeo, and
Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days. Visitors will find local fruits
and vegetable on display at the farmer’s market, while baked goods and the
creative wares of the region’s artisans spread throughout the area. Walla Walla
lies within a lush grape growing area, where local wineries host barrel tastings
and vineyard tours each spring. Fascinating historic sites, such as
Fort Walla Walla Park and Museum and the
Whitman Mission, pay homage to the region’s humble beginnings. Walla
Walla’s
Symphony, the oldest continuous symphony west of the
Mississippi River, provides an enjoyable measure of culture for residents
and visitors.
Walla Walla serves as the region’s center of
employment, finances, and healthcare; a strong economy thrives, in large part,
due to the wide range of agricultural crops. These include barley, corn, peas,
wheat, and the beloved
Walla Walla Sweet Onion. Grape vineyards and the wine industry play a
significant role, with more than sixty local
wineries, where popular brands such as
Cabernet Sauvignon and
Merlot are among the many choices. Walla Walla is also the site of
the
Washington State Penitentiary. This is WA’s largest prison, providing
employment for more than 1,000 individuals.
Walla Walla,
Washington captures the spirit of living in the
Pacific Northwest. Walla Walla lives up to the claim of a “town so
nice they named it twice”.
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