Lapwai is also the seat of government of the Nez Perce Tribe.

The rich history continued in 1805, when Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark passed through the area on their way to the Pacific with the Corps of Discovery.

In 1836, Presbyterian minister, Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding founded the Nez Perce Indian Mission at Lapwai Valley. It was the state’s first white settlement and where he established Idaho’s first school, developed its first irrigation system, and grew the state’s first potatoes.

In 1839, Rev. Spalding printed the Northwest’s first book, the Bible, on the earliest printing press in the Pacific Northwest.

The area became apart of the Oregon Territory in 1848 and a part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in 1855. Less than ten years later, the area became part of the Idaho Territory in 1863. This was also at the time when troops were assigned to the Lapwai Valley and Fort Lapwai was established as a response to the 1860 gold rush happening on Nez Perce lands.

Fort Lapwai was in use from 1862 to 1885. It was here that General Oliver O. Howard met with the leaders of Nez Perce non-treaty bands on May 3, 1877, as they made one last attempt to remain on their land. After 1885, when old Fort Lapwai ceased to function as a military fort, it was converted into a government Indian school, then a tuberculosis sanatorium with a hospital, then a boys and girls dormitory, and finally into a school under the direction of the Lapwai School District. It was called the Fort Lapwai Training School from 1891-1899.

Fort Lapwai became part of the State of Idaho when Idaho was admitted to the Union as the 43rd state in 1890.

The Northern Idaho Indian Agency, originally located at Spalding, was relocated to Fort Lapwai in 1904.

On January 11, 1911, the Nez Perce County Commissioners ratified the petition of Roy C. Lane for the Incorporation of the Village of Lapwai. There were over two hundred (200) residents residing within the boundaries of the proposed village at that time. William Siegrist, William J. Fenderson, A.J. Lucas, John C. Carlson and Roy C. Lane were appointed to act as Trustees for the Village of Lapwai until their successors were elected.

Lapwai remains as the seat of government for the Nez Perce Indian Nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Northern Idaho Indian Agency is also still located in Lapwai.

LAPWAI VALLEY TIMELINE

1805 – Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery pass through the area

1836 – State’s first settlement, Nez Perce Indian Mission, founded by Presbyterian minister Reverend Henry Harmon Spalding

1839 – Reverend Spalding published the Bible on the first printing press in the Pacific Northwest

1848 – Lapwai Valley became apart of the Oregon Territory

1855 – Lapwai Valley became a part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation

1860 – Gold rush in Nez Perce lands

1862 – Camp Lapwai established in response to gold rush

1863 – Fort Lapwai established and becomes part of the new Idaho Territory

1877 – General Oliver O. Howard meets with Nez Perce leaders

1885 – Fort Lapwai converted into a government Indian school

1890 – Fort Lapwai became part of the State of Idaho, the Union’s 43rd state

1891 – Fort Lapwai renamed Fort Lapwai Training School

1899 – Lillian Marie Bounds, wife of Walt Disney, is born in Lapwai Valley

1904 – Northern Idaho Indian Agency relocated to Fort Lapwai from Spalding

1911 – Incorporation of the Village of Lapwai

1933 – Administration of the school transferred to Coeur d’Alene Agency

1987 – Beginning of Idaho’s longest basketball winning streak at 81 games and three consecutive A-3 state championships under Coach Bruce Crossfield

When:

Experience NAIA Baseball at its best as the top 10 ten NAIA college teams compete in the 2012 World Series. Click on link below to see latest news and updates, schedules and highlights and pictures of games.

Ticket and seating information is also on this site.

Click Here for 2012 NAIA World Series

When: Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Sign-in time: 11:00 am Teams will be drawn from those registered and brackets set morning of the tournament.

Fees: Coming soon

Prizes: $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place, $50 for 3rd place, and $25 for 4th place. Trophies will also be given.

More Info: Contact City  Hall @ 20.843.2212 or Mark Wilson

When: Sunday June 17th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Time: 10:00 am

More Info: Contact Antonio Smith at 208.790.5157

What: Rock da Block 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney

When: Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai HS Gym Parking Lot

Sign-in time: 8:00 am

Fees: $40 for a team of four.

More Info: Contact Quincy Ellenwod @ the Pi Nee Waus at 20.843.7360

Important Notice
The Event Committee along with Coca Cola will sell all beverages (pop, water, energy drinks, juice) for the event. Vendors may only sell specialty drinks such as coffees, milkshakes, Lemonades, Smoothies, Slushies, etc…

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Arts & Crafts Vendor Information

When: Friday July 6th and/or Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Set up time: 8:30 am on

Fees: $25 a day for a  10’ x 10’ space, price includes one table. Additional tables available for $5. Fees due at the time of set up.

More Info/ Reserve a space: Contact Jon @ 843-2212 ext 1. Or email: lapwai-deputy@qwestoffice.net

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Community Yard Sale Information

When: Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Set up time: 6:30 am

Fees: $10 for a  10’ x 10’ space; or $15 with one table. Additional tables available for $5. Fees due at the time of set up.

More Info/ Reserve a space: Contact Jon @ 843-2212 ext 1. Or email: lapwai-deputy@qwestoffice.net

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Food Vendor Information

When: Friday July 6th & Saturday July 7th

Where: Lapwai City Park

Set up time: Thursday and Friday

Fees: Spaces available for only $100.00 a day for professional businesses or $50.00 mom & pop businesses

More Info/ Reserve a space: Contact Jon @ 843-2212 ext 1. Or email: lapwai-deputy@qwestoffice.net

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Click to download the
Lapwai Days Poster

Click to download the
3 on 3 Tournament Poster

Click to download the
Parade Poster

Click to download the
Fun Run Walk 2011

As part of our Lapwai Days 2012 Celebration we would like to extend to you and everyone in your community an invitation to participate in our Lapwai Days Fun Run/Walk. Good health is and has always been an important part of our families. The fun run is participants taking part for their own enjoyment rather than competition. It is about families being healthy together. Along with the run/walk, there will be an obstacle course for the kids to run through. Plan on join us for a 8 am start.

When: July 7th

Where: Lapwai High School Track

Time: 8:00 AM

Pre-Register by: 7:45 AM

Sponsored by: Nimipuu Health – Nutrition Program, Coordinated School Health Program, and Diabetes Program

For more Info call: Julie Keller 208.621.5000 ext. 2921 or Crissy Garcia 208.621.5000 ext. 2848

FREE for Participants

- water
- healthy snacks
- Recycled T-shirts
- Door Prizes

Be Healthy, Be Active

Leadership Scholarship

Deadline: May 1, 2012

The City of Lapwai Leadership Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to a graduating senior from the Lapwai School District. The City of Lapwai supports and encourages future leaders of our community to continue school and further their education. The City of Lapwai Leadership Scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Applicants MUST meet following criteria:

1. Must be a graduating senior from the Lapwai High School.
2. Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA).
3. Must have plans to attend a higher education institution, U.S. Armed Forces, certification program, personal or professional advancement program.

AWARDS: $500 total award per scholarship recipient

Notification of scholarship award will be made at the last scheduled Lapwai City Council meeting before the Lapwai High School Graduation Ceremonies. Disbursement of award will be given out dependent upon the maintenance and completion of the Lapwai School District coursework.

PERSONAL ESSAY: On a separate sheet(s), the applicant must provide a personal statement of educational and/or career goals, stating interests, accomplishments (4-H, FFA, athletics, etc), their definition of what “leadership” is to them and how they plan on using their “leadership” skills in the future.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Please submit TWO (2) letters of recommendation. We suggest a teacher, advisor or school representative, and a non-related adult friend, supervisor or community member who knows you well.

RESUME: Please submit an updated resume with your application.

Download Application form