College Place approves grant to establish historic district at Walla Walla University

COLLEGE PLACE — The College Place City Council approved a resolution Tuesday accepting an $18,000 certified local government grant to prepare a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Walla Walla University (WWU) Historic District.

The federal pass-through grant, administered by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), covers consultant expenses to complete the nomination. The city will provide a matching contribution of $3,497.33 using staff time, materials, and volunteer hours from the Historic Preservation Commission, bringing the total project cost to $21,497.33.

The effort follows a 2019 survey that identified the campus core — comprising historic institutional, religious, and residential buildings dating back to the university’s 1892 founding — as eligible for federal historic designation. The project gained formal backing in May 2025 after city leaders and preservation commissioners presented the proposal to the WWU Master Planning Committee, which voted enthusiastically to support the initiative.

Though the grant was selected for funding in August 2025, formal contracting was delayed until federal dollars were released in June 2026.

Planning Director Jon Rickard noted the project offers a significant opportunity to preserve local heritage, serve as a marketing tool, and secure College Place’s initial listing on the National Register. Councilmember Jordan Green praised the resolution, noting that public feedback during comprehensive plan updates consistently emphasized protecting the city’s unique charm while managing growth.

A hired consultant will lead research, conduct fieldwork, and host public meetings before submitting the final nomination to DAHP and the National Park Service.

Image courtesy city of College Place

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Elkhorn Media Group