The Palouse Region of Washington State

"Whitman County Growers in June too" Springtime in Steptoe always provides an array of beautiful wheat fields for as far as the eye can see.  Steptoe Butte provides a platform too view this beauty.  Here we see the Whitman County Growers elevator in Steptoe surrounded by the wheat that it will store later in the summer.

"Galactic Night Rider Revisted"

 This old Kenworth School Bus spent its last days out in the desert awaiting its fate.  During that time it attracted many artists who kept the evolving paint scheme going.  Then there was the occasional photographer who saw it for its beauty.  Because it attracted so much attention the State of Washington had it moved into the town of Washtucna.  It is now a continually evolving canvas

"Satus Creek Mansion 9001"

 This old abandoned home was probably a farmers mansion in its day.  Now, adjacent to a wildlife refuge in Yakima County, this old home stands proudly under the stars memorializing the yesteryear farming community of the lower Yakima Valley .  It is also known locally as the Gable House.  It is also featured on one of the many murals in downtown Toppenish, Washington.

“Patriot of the Palouse 9229”

 Farmers in the Palouse are very patriotic and don’t mind showing it.  Here a farmer proudly displays an American Flag on his barn along Highway 195 near Rosalia, Washington.

“Super Moon Rising over the Palouse”

 Springtime is magical in the Palouse region of Washington State.  The wheat turns a beautiful green and you can a patch work of luscious green wheat fields and fields being prepared for planting.  In this case the magic of the area is enhanced with a full moon rising to the east at the end of the road.  This image was captured near Kamiak Butte in Whitman County.

"Palouse Sunflowers" The Palouse Country is home to many crops such as wheat, canola, barley and many others.  In my opinion though, the most beautiful are the sunflowers.  I think I was able to capture the essence of that beauty in this image.

"June at the Whitman County Growers" Springtime in Steptoe always provides an array of beautiful wheat fields for as far as the eye can see.  Steptoe Butte provides a platform too view this beauty.  Here we see the Whitman County Growers elevator in Steptoe surrounded by the wheat that it will store later in the summer.

"Steptoe Homestead under the Stars" 

 Once a vibrant home that housed a farming family, it now is just a reminder of days gone by.  It’s past majesty is captured this evening under a clear starry night in the Palouse

• "No More Mail"
• This old Palouse homestead has been long abandoned. It’s mailbox uprooted and covered with bullet holes, no more mail will be delivered here.

"A star lit night at the John Wayne Bridge" 

This bridge was once used by the mighty Milwaukee Railroad for trains crossing the country.  Now it’s a walking trail.  It seemed to me a great place to photograph the stars in all their majesty.

Another Steptoe Homestead

This old homestead is full of stories.  Unfortunately they will probably never be told as this old home deteriorates more and more each season.

  "Dusk at Palouse Falls"

Palouse Falls is one of the most spectacular water falls in Eastern Washington located between Washtucna and Starbuck on the Palouse River. This location become even more spectacular during a short time in the spring when all of the vegetation is green. This image depicts the falls at its best time of the year.

"Surveying his Domain"

As I was approaching the town of Palouse this pinto horse caught my attention as he stood in the doorway of his barn. As I watched him though, it was apparent that was his spot to be happy while surveying his domain. When I came back through in the early evening he was in the same spot as if he had not moved all day.  It should also be noted that this old horse is featured in the Pullman Chamber of Commerce Brochure in the same pose.

This old schoolhouse was once a house of education but has since been repurposed as a storage facility on a farm in the Palouse.  Although it appears to be ready for collapse, it remains standing  thanks to the ingenuity of its owner and and old truck frame. 

  “The Lonely Tree Under the Milky Way”

The Palouse Country lends itself to stargazing. On this July night my grandson and I found ourselves in a wheat field under the stars. The only feature nearby was this lonely old tree. This image demonstrates how utter simplicity can be so dramatic

This tree viewed from Steptoe Butte, is without doubt, is my favorite tree in the entire Palouse Region.  Additionally it is made even prettier by the pleasantly flowing creek that leads you eye right to the tree. 

This fine old Barn located in Douglas County has not been restored, but does stand proudly in great condition.  It is apparent that its owner has taken great care of it.

Another iconic barn in the Palouse commemorates its lineage with the sign Palouse Country.

"Discarded and Forgotten"

This fine old car has long been discarded and forgotten out in the middle of the Desert in Douglas County, Washington. If it could talk it would be saying "I am waiting here to be restored so that I can once again proudly be useful. Although old and rusty it is still beautiful. 

  "May at the Whitman County Growers"

Springtime in Steptoe always provides an array of beautiful wheat fields for as far as the eye can see. Steptoe Butte provides a platform too view this beauty. Here we see the Whitman County Growers elevator in Steptoe surrounded by the wheat that it will store later in the summer.

Palouse River Canyon

This image was captured in early May during a beautiful sunset as all of the vegetation in the Palouse was a vibrant green.

Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.

"Govan Schoolhouse" 

The Govan school was built in 1905. It was staffed by two teachers. It remained in operation until 1942 when it was consolidated with the Wilbur School District. This old building is located just outside of the town of Almira in Lincoln County, Washington.  If you look carefully you can see it from Highway 2 off in the distance.

"Weber Homestead" 

This beautiful old homestead stands proudly in a wheat field in outside of Pullman, Washington.

 St. Boniface Church from the Outside 

 You are looking at St. Boniface Church, named after the German apostle. It is the first consecrated Catholic Church in the State of Washington. The church not only represents the spiritual commitment of early Palouse immigrants and their modern-day ancestors, but also the commitment to building, from the ground up, a new society in a strange new place. This spirit would come to personify the people of the Palouse. 

 Robert M. Lambeth, “St. Boniface Church in Uniontown,” Spokane Historical, accessed February 9, 2019, https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/425 

In May, 1904, under direction of Uniontown’s new Pastor, J.A. Faust, construction once again commenced and the grand structure was completed in less than year, opening its doors in April, 1905 at a total cost of around $20,000.

The construction of St. Boniface Church was indicative of the prosperity experienced among the German immigrants who brought their specific knowledge of wheat farming to the region over 140 years ago. It was the introduction of the German-American culture that helped to make the Palouse both culturally diverse and economically successful

This Old Barn is located along SR 272 near Colfax, WA. Its restoration was completed by David and Becky Buri in 2010. This image was captured during the springtime as the fields were a lush green or had just been planted.

 "The grain elevator at Ragon Road"

Sitting atop Steptoe Butte one has a commanding view of the surrounding area.  One feature is this great grain elevator surrounded by green winter and spring wheat all around for as far as the eye can see.

  "Steptoe Town from Afar"

Springtime in Steptoe always provides an array of beautiful wheat fields for as far as the eye can see. Steptoe Butte provides a platform too view this beauty. Here we see the Whitman County Growers elevator in Steptoe surrounded by the wheat that it will store later in the summer.

It is nothing to see combines transferring their load to a gondola in the field, but on this occasion, three combines unload at the same time.  Very Cool!

"The Old Milwaukee Trestle at Rosalia, WA"

 This old railroad trestle was used for many years by the Milwaukee Railroad to transport goods and people along its rail line.  Now the rail line stands abandoned and is no longer used.  This bridge stands as a monument to those golden years of railroading in America.

"Palouse Dodge 9280" 

As I was passing through the little ghost town of Elberton in Whitman County, Washington, I spotted this magnificent relic from 75 years in the past.  It’s a 1940 Dodge.  It is still quite well preserved and owned by a local farmer who had it sitting in a field.  The farmer told me the car belonged to a friend who has since past, who bought it new.  Before he passed he gave it to the farmer stating “You can run it off a cliff for all I care. . .”

"Lined Up and Ready to Go 9260"

 These old barns are located near Oaksdale, Washington.  Set amongst rolling hills and green winter wheat, I was especially taken by the contrasting colors and beautiful textures in this image.

"Old Rugged Cross"

 An old homestead abandoned since the early 1920s still stands as a symbol of a much simpler time.  One of the windows of the cabin was boarded up with this old rugged cross.  This old building and its boarded window stand alone in the desert of Douglas County, Washington.

About mid August every year the Wheat Harvest begins in the Palouse and lasts into early September.  here we see three John Deere Combines making short work of this crop of wheat.  The cutting heads on these machines are forty feet wide and are hauled to the field by trailer then installed on the combine.  These combines are self leveling with GPS and air conditioning.

"The Old Barn on Shahan Road" 

This old barn as it approaches its golden years remains useful to it’s owner while adding rustic decoration to it beautiful surrounding creating a contrast between the youthful young wheat growing around its extreme maturity

"Ready for Restoration"

This stately old barn is located just outside of Colfax, Washington on SR 272. It stands on the top of this hill decaying and begging for a restoration. It retains its beauty through its years of patina. Hopefully someday soon a restoration may start.

"Kennewick’s Cable Bridge at Night”

The Icon of Kennewick has to be the beautiful Cable Bridge crossing the Columbia River. It’s special lighting makes it especially gorgeous during the night time.

"Heidenreich Dairy Barn"

This Old Barn is located along SR 272 near Colfax, WA. Its restoration was completed by David and Becky Buri in 2010. This is one of the more famous barns in Whitman County, Washington  and stands as a testimonial for preserving the past.

"Cashup Grain Elevator too"

The Cashup Grain Elevator is one of many large elevators that operate in the Palouse Region of Washington State. This image was captured near the end of the day from nearby Steptoe Butte.

This is indeed my favorite Tree in the entire Palouse Region.  It can be seen from Steptoe Butte.  I happen to know this tree is many people's favorite tree in the Palouse Region.  I think you will agree.

The Palouse  Region is one of the most spectacular places in Washington State to Photograph the Milky Way.  We were exceptionally fortunate to capture such a beautiful image on this particular night.

"Trestle under the Milky Way"

This concrete railroad trestle was used by the Milwaukee Railroad until the early 1970’s. It is now abandoned just south of the town of Rosalia, Washington. On this night it stood under a magnificent night sky as the Milky Way showed itself to the world.

During the last weeks in April these beautiful flowers bloom on the flanks of Steptoe Butte

"Fill it up with Oil and Check the Gas"

This old gas station and store has not been open for many years. As it sits in the middle of the Oregon dessert along Highway 97, it continues to age and lose its paint. As it ages it becomes even more beautiful. This old gas station can tell many stories about the cars and people who stopped for oil, gas, and a bottle of Orange Crush.

"Little Red Barn "

This is just one of a few freshly painted and restored barns I have encountered in my exploration of the Palouse Country. This barn is located outside of Colfax, Washington.

This Case Combine is working fast before rain comes and ruins this perfect field of wheat.

"The Decline of Public Schools"

The Skeen School House located in Whitman County, Washington stands forlorn in a wheat field near Palouse, Wa. No students have attended this school in many years. This wonderful old build is in a state of decline much like our public school system of today is in decline. 

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