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Indian Shaker Church and Gulick Homestead facts for kids

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Indian Shaker Church and
Gulick Homestead
Photograph of several weatherworn, dilapidated buildings
Gulick Homestead buildings in 2004
Locator map
Locator map
Location in The Dalles OR
Location The Dalles, Oregon, near the junction of Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 197
Area 2.12 acres (0.86 ha)
Built 1891–1897
Built by Henry Gulick, et al.
Architectural style Vernacular
NRHP reference No. 78003087
Added to NRHP April 4, 1978

The Indian Shaker Church and Gulick Homestead are a group of historic buildings in The Dalles, Oregon, USA. They were built by Henry Gulick right next to the Columbia River in the 1890s. This place is special because it's the only fishing homestead from the 1800s left in Oregon. A homestead is a place where a family lives and works, often including a house and other buildings.

Henry Gulick worked for a big company that canned salmon. Around 1896, he built a church here for his wife, Harriet. She was a member of the Wasco people. This church was one of five Indian Shaker Church groups in Oregon, and it was the smallest. The Indian Shaker Church and Gulick Homestead were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means they are important historical sites worth protecting.

What is the Indian Shaker Church?

The Indian Shaker Church is a Christian religion that started among Native American people in the Pacific Northwest. It began in the late 1800s. The church combines parts of traditional Native American beliefs with Christian ideas. Its followers are sometimes called "Shakers" because of their shaking movements during worship. These movements are believed to help them connect with the Holy Spirit.

History of the Indian Shaker Church

The Indian Shaker Church was founded by a man named John Slocum. He was a Squaxin Island spiritual leader. In 1881, Slocum became very ill and seemed to die. He then came back to life and shared a message. He said he had visited heaven and was told to teach his people a new way of life. This new way combined Christian teachings with Native American traditions.

The church quickly grew among different tribes in the Pacific Northwest. It offered a spiritual path that respected Native American culture. It also helped people deal with the changes happening in their communities. The church provided a sense of hope and community.

Indian Shaker Church in Oregon

The church in the Gulick Homestead was one of the first Indian Shaker churches in Oregon. It was an important place for the Wasco people and other Native Americans in the area. Even though it was small, it played a role in the spread of the Indian Shaker Church. This church helped keep Native American spiritual traditions alive while also embracing new beliefs.

Who was Henry Gulick?

Henry Gulick was an important person in The Dalles during the late 1800s. He built the homestead and church buildings. He worked for the Seufert salmon canning company. This company was very important to the local economy. Canning salmon was a big industry in Oregon at that time.

The Gulick Homestead Buildings

The Gulick Homestead includes several buildings. These buildings show how people lived and worked in the 1800s. They are an example of "vernacular architecture." This means they were built using local materials and traditional methods. They were designed to be practical for the people who lived there. The homestead was a fishing homestead, meaning fishing was a main activity for the family.

Why is this site important?

The Indian Shaker Church and Gulick Homestead are important for several reasons:

  • Only 19th-Century Fishing Homestead: It is the only fishing homestead from the 1800s that is still standing in Oregon. This makes it a rare example of how people lived and worked by the Columbia River.
  • Native American History: The church building shows the history of the Indian Shaker Church. It also highlights the spiritual life of the Wasco people.
  • Local History: The site tells us about the history of The Dalles and the salmon canning industry. It shows how different cultures lived and worked together.

The site helps us understand the past of Oregon. It shows the lives of both Native American communities and early settlers.

Images for kids

See also

External links

  • National Register of Historic Places photographic file
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