William Phillips - Hardwareman, Tinsmith, Foundry Owner and Early Fire Commissioner
Dick Phillips portrays his Great-Grandfather William Phillips
Walla Walla nurseryman Dick Phillips portrays 19th century businessman William Phillips.
Born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England in 1829, William Phillips came to Walla Walla in 1860 by way of Salem, Oregon. His established a tin and stove shop on Main Street between 3rd and 4th on the north side of the street and brought his family to the community the following year. The business eventually became a hardware store,
In 1863, he branched out. After placing William O’Donnell in charge of the Walla Walla shop, Phillips opened stores in Placerville, Idaho and Weston, Oregon. Later returning to Walla Walla with a partner, Mr. Abel, in 1867 Phillips built Walla Walla’s first foundry, located on lower West Main Street, catty corner from Spence Tires.
In 1866, after a disastrous fire in downtown Walla Walla, Phillips was a volunteer fireman, then appointed fire marshal in 1867 with the responsibility of reorganizing the fire department after Walla Walla's third major fire that occurred on the 4th of July 1866. The first fire razed a theater and residence, but the next three fires each engulfed much of the town.
Phillips also was appointed several times to the city council and in 1867 signed the Gold Dust regulations. The instrument you see him holding in the picture is typical of those used by business men in Walla Walla to weigh the gold miners brought to town. It can be folded and carried in a small box which made it a very important instrument for the local businesses to have on hand.
Phillips’ wife, Pauline, was a propagator of roses. She took special care of her roses and beautified their residence at 3rd and Birch to the extent that it was noted and written about in the Washington Statesman newspaper. Phillips is portrayed by his great grandson, Dick Phillips, who is noted for his nursery skills and has had beautiful displays at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds during the annual fair, including many rose plants.
Performances begin at 2:00 p.m. in the pioneer settlement at Fort Walla Walla Museum. Visitors are encouraged to question the Living History re-enactors about their lives and times. The Museum is open daily, 10 am - 5 pm, April through October; 10 am - 4 pm, November1 through December 23; and weekdays, 10 am - 4 pm, January through March.
Admission is free to Fort Walla Walla Museum members,
eligible service personnel & their familes through
the Blue Star Museums program, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute's
Inwai Circle cardholders,
enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and all children under 6;
$3/children
6-12; $6/seniors (62+) and students; $7/adults.
Your admission fee today may be applied to a membership,
priced beginning at $27. For more information, contact Fort Walla Walla Museum at 509-525-7703, or email: info@fortwallawallamuseum.org. |
