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Building History

The Michael Beem Ward (1818-1893) and Amelia Elizabeth Harmon Ward (1819-1905) House was erected in 1876. Originally, the Ward House occupied a site filled with fruit trees and tended gardens, but these parts of the property were sold off over time. Italianate in style, the Ward House was reoriented to face East Poplar Street, when that street was put in c. 1900.

Ward had originated in De Kalb County, IL, about 60 miles due west of Chicago. He wed Amelia Harmon in 1842 there and trekked to CA during the Gold Rush, c. 1851, but, like many fortune seekers, did not stay, and returned to De Kalb County for a short time before coming west to settle in Linn County, OR, during the late 1850s. He and his family made it to Walla Walla by 1861 where he began buying farm land and raising cattle. He eventually owned about 700 acres on which he ranched and farmed. Still interested in mining, Ward, later in life, underwrote gold and mineral miners working in ID and MT. He became a respected town leader, serving as county commissioner at one point. His wife was active in music, the Walla Walla Ladies Relief Society, and philanthropy, donating to nearby Whitman College. Michael Ward died in 1893, while his wife passed away twelve years later.

Frank and Josephine Clifton owned the house since 1936, converting it to apartment usage. (See Penny Andres, Walla Walla / Her Historic Homes, Vol. III, [Walla Walla, WA: Saxum Publications, 1998], pp. 8-9.)

Building Notes

President Rutherford B. Hayes and his entourage occupied the Ward House during a trip to Walla Walla on 10/05/1880. (See Penny Andres, Walla Walla / Her Historic Homes, Vol. III, [Walla Walla, WA: Saxum Publications, 1998], pp. 8-9.)

Alteration

The Cliftons made a two-story addition on the rear of the property. Originally, the house had a cross-gabled tower rising as a thrid story centrally above the front door. At one point during the 20th century, this tower room was removed, but was replaced by a later owner. (See Penny Andres, Walla Walla / Her Historic Homes, Vol. III, [Walla Walla, WA: Saxum Publications, 1998], pp. 8-9.)

PCAD id: 25362