An Interesting Journey

Originally occupied by Umatilla, Cayuse and Walla Walla Indian Tribes and a handful of French Canadian Trappers, the Town that became Milton Freewater has a rich and interesting history. Early wagon trains following the Whitman party traveled though this town en route to the Willamette Valley and some returned to this area to call it home.

Others moved north from success in the goldfields of Califormia finding an agreeable situation in this area. The Frazier family laid out the old town as we know it and the city was named Milton. In the 1880s due largely to a ban on Saloons a rival town Freewater was founded close to the north and a friendly rivalry began which continued until consolidation in the 1950s.

Milton-Freewater boasts a microclimate ideal for the growing of all kinds of fruits. In recent decades vineyards have become a pivotal part of that mix. The unique wine growing terroir has brought widespread attention to the area and was "The Rocks District" slightly to the north of the town was recently recognized as America's newest viticultural area.

You can explore a plethora of interesting stories that make up the rich history of  Milton-Freewaterusing the timeline tool.