The Washington State city of Walla Wall, with a population approaching 32,000, is the largest city in Walla Walla County. In 1818 the Walla Walla Native Americans inhabited the area and the North West Company began to trade with them so that Fort Nez Perce became established. About 20 years later, in September 1836 Marcus and Narcissa Whitman arrived in the area and tried to convert the Walla Walla people to Christianity. Just 30 years afterwards the first Walla Walla Fair was held on its Fairground, and in due course a racetrack was established. The 4 furlong oval track, with separate 6 furlong chute to facilitate sprint races, had a grandstand with the capacity to seat 3,000, offering 5 days of thoroughbred and quarter horse races annually. It competed with its near neighbour Waitsburg Fair racecourse, although both managed to boost attendance by being part of the Blue Mountain Fair Circuit. The traditional programme was a 2 day meeting in May, followed later in the year by a 3 day meeting in August or September, culminating in the Dick Monahan Memorial Stakes. The final meeting was held on 5th September 2010. |
