Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery
Tuekakas, commonly known as Old Chief Joseph, was a leader of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce who lived from approximately 1785 to 1871. He was among the first of his people to convert to Christianity and initially supported peaceful relations with white settlers, even aiding in the establishment of a large Nez Perce reservation in 1855 that included the Wallowa Valley. However, his views changed drastically after the 1863 treaty, which significantly reduced the reservation lands, excluding their sacred Wallowa homeland, which he felt was a betrayal. Consequently, Old Chief Joseph refused to recognize this new treaty, condemned the United States, and resolved to remain in the Wallowa Valley with his band. He was the father of the later famous Chief Joseph.
The Approach
From Joseph, Oregon, head south down S Main St. Follow the bend onto E 8th St and continue to follow as it bends south and becomes Wallowa Lake Hwy. As the road turns East, the gravesite will be on your right. Parking is along the highway. You have gone too far if you pass by the Wallowa Lake Park entrance.
Visiting
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Challenges
In the summer months, this area can get hot in the afternoon sun. There isn’t much shade, so plan accordingly.
Equipment
Sunscreen
Hat (optional)
The History Old Chief Joseph
Tuekakas, also known as tiwi-teqis, meaning "senior warrior," and commonly referred to as Old Chief Joseph or Joseph the Elder, was a significant leader of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce tribe. Born around 1785, he played a crucial role in the early interactions between the Nez Perce and white settlers.
Old Chief Joseph was among the first Nez Perce people to embrace Christianity. The Presbyterian missionary Reverend Henry H. Spalding established a mission among the Nez Perce in 1836. Tuekakas was intrigued by Spalding and his religion; Spalding baptized him and gave him the name Joseph. This conversion marked a period where Old Chief Joseph advocated for peace and cooperation with the incoming white population.
Old Chief Joseph initially believed that peaceful coexistence was possible and in the best interest of his people. In 1855, he and his son, the future Chief Joseph (then known as Young Joseph), attended a treaty council in Walla Walla called by territorial governor Isaac Stevens. Stevens convinced the tribes that signing a reservation treaty was the best way to protect their homelands from further white encroachment. Old Chief Joseph signed this treaty because the reservation outlined included the Wallowa homeland of his band and a vast area spanning present-day Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. He aided Governor Stevens in establishing this Nez Perce reservation, extending from Oregon to Idaho. In return for ceding some of their tribal lands, the Nez Perce were assured that their sacred Wallowa Valley would remain untouched by white intrusion.
However, the peace established by the 1855 treaty proved to be short-lived. Following a gold rush in Nez Perce territory, the federal government sought to drastically reduce the size of the reservation. In 1863, another treaty council was convened, which Young Joseph attended as an observer. This new treaty called for the Nez Perce to give up approximately six million acres of their land, confining them to a much smaller 750,000-acre reservation in Idaho, which was only about one-tenth the size of the original reservation. Crucially, this new boundary excluded the Wallowa country, the ancestral and sacred homeland of Old Chief Joseph's band.
Old Chief Joseph vehemently opposed this new treaty, arguing that his people had never approved it. Feeling deeply deceived by the broken promises and the violation of the 1855 agreement, his stance towards the United States government hardened significantly. He condemned the actions of the U.S. government, symbolically slashed his American flag, and even shredded the Bible given to him by Reverend Spalding, signifying his complete rejection of the path he had once embraced.
Old Chief Joseph steadfastly refused to move his band from the Wallowa Valley or to sign the treaty that would have legitimized the new, smaller reservation boundaries. He remained in his beloved homeland, determined to uphold the original treaty and protect his people's connection to their ancestral lands. In August 1871, Old Chief Joseph passed away in the Wallowa country. As he lay dying, he advised his son, Young Joseph, on how to navigate the inevitable conflicts with the whites, urging him always to remember their country and never to give it away. Although his gravestone mistakenly states his death year as 1872, he died in 1871. He was the father of Hinmahtoo-yahlatkekht, who would later become famously known as Chief Joseph. Old Chief Joseph's unwavering commitment to his land and his defiance against the U.S. government's broken promises laid the groundwork for his son's later resistance.
The Gravesite and Cemetery
Old Chief Joseph’s original burial site had been robbed twice, so his body was moved to this location on September 26, 1926. It has rested here undisturbed since that time. A small informational sign stands just inside the entrance. A small trail leads to the monument of his grave, consisting of a large ornamental headstone with an engraved stone plaque. The trail does not end here but continues down to a patch of small trees and tall grass where three small gravestones can be found. This is the final resting place of Philip, Sarah, and Cornelius McFarland. Further along the trail still is a large headstone identifying the final rest place of Frank David and Martha E McCully. Frank is known as the Father of Wallowa County and was buried in this Indian Cemetery due to his long friendship with Chief Joseph and his people. From this point, you can enjoy a beautiful view up the Wallowa River as it leaves Wallowa Lake.
Summary
This is a very small, but significant location regarding the history of this area. During Old Chief Joseph’s life, he witnessed a truly transitional period with the arrival of settlers, gold miners, and the arrival of Western culture and its people—a period fraught with peace, hostility, and betrayal. It is worth stopping to witness the significance of this proud leader of a noble people during a truly revolutionary period in our history.
Places to Eat in Joseph, Oregon
Stubborn Mule Saloon and Steak has your typical saloon food. Burgers, steak, and fries adorn the menu with a few surprises making an appearance. The food was respectable, with good portion sizes.
The Blythe Cricket is a popular breakfast location. The food is good, but not exceptional, likely due to the need for speed since this place had a line out the door before we arrived until after we left.
Summit Grill is a great place to grab a snack if you take the Tramway to the summit of Mt Howard. We grabbed bagels with cream cheese to eat on our way down the mountain, and they hit the spot.
Other Points of Interest
Nearby attractions include Wallowa Lake Park, Joseph Oregon Paddle, Wallowa Lake Tramway, and Wallowa Lake State Park.
