Steptoe Butte in the Spring
by Sharon Elliott
Title
Steptoe Butte in the Spring
Artist
Sharon Elliott
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Springtime in the Palouse offers many beautiful scenes of the farmlands in Washington State, and Idaho. Steptoe Butte, in the heart of the Palouse Farmland, is an icon that is the highest point in the Palouse, rising to an elevation of 3,612 ft., nearly 1,000 feet above the rolling hills of the Palouse farmland. Driving up to the top of this Butte gives you a 360 degree view of the Palouse of it's varied colors and patchwork design. This is a very popular destination and jump-off point for hang-gliders, hoping to catch a gentle wind current and carry them over the peaceful, patchwork quilt patterns of grain below.
In May of 1858 this was the site of a battle between the Native Americans of this area and the white man. This was sacred ground to the Native Americans and the threat of the White man to take it over began a battle to hang on to their sacred land. Lt. Col. Steptoe and 159 American soldiers, for several hours, faught against Palouse, Spokane, and Coeur D Alene Native Americans. Eventually they were defeated and as night fall approached, Lt. Col. Steptoe and his men, low on ammunition, retreated with their wounded to Ft. Walla Walla.
Uploaded
January 19th, 2013
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