On December 8, 1856, five Sisters of Providence, Roman Catholic nuns, arrive at Fort Vancouver, Washington. Sister Joseph (formerly Esther Pariseau) (1823-1902) is their leader. She will later be know...
On December 11, 1856, William Cadmer allegedly commits mutiny and assault on the Lizzie Jarvis, a cargo ship, in Port Townsend. The vessel was christened in New Granada (northern Latin America) and do...
In 1857, a census of King County residents is taken. The population consists of 152 persons of European American descent including 86 adult males, 23 females age 18 and over, and 43 children of whom 1...
On January 20, 1857, United States President Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) signs an executive order that formally establishes the Muckleshoot Reservation. The reservation will be expanded when President...
On January 23, 1857, the Washington Territorial Legislature passes an act incorporating the City of Vancouver, a Clark County settlement of just over 918 acres located on the north bank of the Columbi...
On June 27, 1857, American and British commissioners of the International Boundary Commission meet on board the British ship HMS Satellite, anchored in Esquimalt Harbor on the southeast coast of Briti...
On July 13, 1857, the recently organized Slaughter County is renamed Kitsap County to honor Chief Kitsap, a Suquamish military leader. The county seat is at Port Madison and will remain there until 18...
On August 11, 1857, a group of North Coast Indians -- likely members of the Kake tribe of Tlingits who were led by a woman warrior -- behead Col. Isaac N. Ebey (1818-1857) at his home, "The Cabins," n...
In September 1857, construction begins on the Whatcom Trail to connect Bellingham to Everson and the international boundary with Canada. The track will follow an existing Indian trail called the Nook-...
On December 24, 1857, Michael O'Rourke, a soldier from Fort Bellingham, witnesses Edward French aiding deserting soldiers Solomon Pinkenhoff, Matthew Doyle, and others with intent to aid them in their...
On December 28, 1857, the Cape Flattery Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island begins operation. Built between 1856 and 1857 on a 20-acre bean-shaped rock at the northwestern-most point of the continental Unite...
On February 19, 1858, Nisqually Chief Leschi (1808-1858) is hanged on a gallows at Fort Steilacoom, for the "murder" of the American soldier Colonel A. Benton Moses. Chief Leschi's attorneys argued fi...