(Photo courtesy of Washington Digital Archives)

It’s long been known as the home of the Washington State Penitentiary, and in recent years, as a favorite stop for wine lovers (remember PEMCO’s clever “Walla Walla wine wine woman woman” ad?).

But Walla Walla has been around much longer than most realize. In fact, this town in southeastern Washington was named by Walla Walla County commissioners on November 17, 1859. This photo from our Digital Archives‘ State Library collection shows horses helping with the wheat harvest near Walla Walla in the 1930s.

Go here for more info on Walla Walla’s history.

And for more info about Walla Walla nowadays, go here and here .