La Grande, Washington: Indian Henry's Grave Monument

The place is neat and clean. The cigarette butts have been removed. Atop the Indian Henry monument are offerings from past visitors that include beads, bones, coins and other trinkets. There are many white crosses in the cemetery, some with pennies on top, but no information on the marker as to who it is marking.

There is room for about 3 cars to park.

A monument to Indian Henry, a once-well-known Indian legend, guide and friend to pioneers in the Tacoma-Olympia, Washington, area during the latter half of the 19th century. Indian Henry's trails became the highway over Mt. Rainier and White Pass. His old hunting grounds now carry his name, as well as does a major hiking trail, both in the Mt. Rainier National Park. The rock monument is in its own fenced cemetery and stands about five feet high and three wide at the base. Legend says two of his wives are also buried there, along with 17 other tribesmen, but there is no way of knowing where the bodies may lie.

The sign at the monument says: "Mashel Prairie Indian Cemetery Shaker Church." The Shaker Church was long ago made into a barn by nearby residents.

The face of Indian Henry has been broken by vandals, and cigarettes and other offerings litter the top of the monument. There are no other graves that we could see, but someone mows the grass and keeps the tiny cemetery clean.

There are no facilities, no trash cans, no food or water, and parking for only one vehicle at a time off a narrow gravel/oil road.