State Park Enjoys A Long History

Many of us have enjoyed the Lewis and Clark Trail State Park off Highway 12 between Dayton and Waitsburg. Lewis and Clark Trail State Park is located on what is one of the first homestead sites in Washington Territory. James Bennett homesteaded the 160 acres in1854. In 1867, Bennett traded Mr. Bateman a team and a wagon for rights to the land. Driving onto their property with a wagon, the Batemans went right over the saplings which are now the stately pines growing in the park. The tops of the trees are still bent as a result of that early wagon trail.

I was interested in the statements on the...