Fort Simcoe Historical State Park

First and foremost I want to mention that Fort Simcoe was a boarding school to the Native peoples first. Having said that, I want to express that not all people view Fort Simcoe as a fantastic place of history. Some would see it as one of their families family traumas. If you were to research a little about what the Boarding Schools did to the Native peoples of these lands, you would know that families in these days were ripped apart due to the US Government wanting to "Kill the Indian, save the man." In these days the children were taken by force from their families so that they can be "Civililezed." In todays terms this is what we refer to as Colonization. Native children weren't allowed to speak their languages and or practice their culture. Instead, it was all stripped away.

Now onto the rest of the history of Fort Simcoe.

Fort Simcoe is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War forts in the west. Military history buffs should put it on their bucket lists.

Located on the Yakama Indian Reservation, between rolling hills, small farms and tiny towns, the fort has a unique sense of remoteness - and a beauty that makes it worth the drive.

Once a Yakama Nation camping area, the rich, fertile region sparked discord between the tribes and Euro-American settlers, prompting the U.S Army to construct a fort there in 1856. Fort Simcoe's military history was short-lived, however. In 1859, the United States military fort was closed, and the site was turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It became the location of the Yakama Indian Agency, as well as home to an Indian boarding school for Yakama children for over 60 years (1860-1922).

Wander past the elegant officers' homes, the tribal jail and restored barracks (check hours of operation below under Interpretive Opportunities for access to the interpretive center and a tour of the Commander's Quarters). Hike a small hill to the original blockhouse (defense lookout) and take in the golden valley below. Try to spot a Lewis's woodpecker, as Fort Simcoe Park is a haven for this bird of a different feather.

Relax under a shade tree or have lunch in the picnic shelter near the playground. Keep an eye on your food, as bears have been known to enjoy the park, too.

PARK FEATURES

Fort Simcoe Historical State Park is a 196-acre, day-use heritage site and is primarily a historic preservation effort. Due to its historic significance, Fort Simcoe was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1974. Camping is available at Brooks Memorial and Yakima Sportsman state parks.

In 1956, Fort Simcoe was leased to Washington State Parks by the Yakama Nation on a 99-year lease for historic preservation.

Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, as well as other neighboring tribes have used the park site as a gathering area since time immemorial. Its cold springs, called "Mool Mool" (bubbling water), offer an abundance of water in the otherwise dry region.

As conflicts increased between settlers and tribes in the Washington Territory, the military needed a post further north than Fort Dalles, Oregon. The camping area of Mool Mool was chosen and Fort Simcoe construction began Aug. 8, 1856, by companies G and F, Ninth Infantry, led by Maj. Robert Seldon Garnett.

The fort served as an advance post of the Ninth Infantry Regiment; one of the two regular army posts established in the territory. The other was Fort Walla Walla.

In 1859, this short-lived United States military fort was closed, and the site was turned over to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It became the location of the Yakama Indian Agency, including a boarding school for Yakama children. The site served these functions until 1922, when the Indian Agency was moved to Toppenish.

The park was established in 1956 with the help of the Mool Mool Restoration Society and is under a 99-year lease agreement with the Yakama Nation.