Historic Building Plaque & Research

In 1994, Walla Walla 2020 launched an historic building plaque and research project to help preserve Walla Walla’s rich architectural and cultural history.

The purpose of the project has been to encourage people throughout the community to take pride in their neighborhoods, whether wealthy or humble, by honoring their history and buildings with handsome plaques.

We offer a distinctive, locally produced plaque of painted brass showing the date a structure was built, those who built or occupied it, and any other authenticated information of interest to the owner. While the project places special emphasis on structures built before 1920, any building more than 50 years old that retains its architectural integrity qualifies for both the plaque and the research project, which offers a basic search of Walla Walla County, Penrose Memorial Library and Pioneer Title Company records to assist in determining the date of construction and the owners of the property over the years.

The project has produced research reports and/or plaques for over 210 historic properties, including 150 residences and 60 commercial or institutional properties. A list of the properties by address, showing dates of construction, appears below. Plaques for commercial buildings are produced in cooperation with the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation. Plans are being made for the full reports on the properties researched to be available at one or more local libraries and online.

The project offers to research a residence for $150, and a commercial building for $250-350 depending on the property. In addition, a 6 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ seven-line plaque can be made for $50 plus sales tax (click here to view a sample plaque).  Additional lines and sizes are also available. More information on the project can be obtained from Dan Clark, Walla Walla 2020, PO Box 1222, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Please note that this program is independent of city, state and national historic registries. For more information on local historic preservation, please visit City of Walla Walla Historic Preservation Commission.