Loni Grinnell-Greninger hugs the Dick Brown statue of her fourth great-grandfather čičməhán, when it was installed in 1996. Today (2019) Loni is the Deputy Director of Social and Community Services for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.
Photo courtesy of the Port Townsend Leader.

After signing the 1855 Point No Point Treaty, it was clear that there had been some misunderstandings, and the federal government was failing to follow through on its funding promises. Some of the Tribes of Washington rose up against what they saw as illegal seizure and occupation of their ancestral territories. Forced off their traditional lands, many S’Klallam discussed joining these efforts. čičməhán (Cheech-ma-han) saw white settlement as inevitable and maintained friendly relations with the newcomers in hopes of peaceful co-existence. Positioning himself at Sentinel Rock, he agreed to alert the white settlers as to whether they were safe or should prepare for battle.

“… each morning I will sit on top of the big rock on the east side of qatáy Valley. If you are still in danger I will keep my blanket over my head and then you will know that you must have your guns handy and place your women and children where they will be safe, for they are apt to be captured and held as slaves. If the danger passes I will stand up, throw off my blanket and give a great shout. Then you will know that you are safe.”

The S’Klallam deliberated for nine days, while čičməhán sent a daily signal of “danger.” On the tenth day, the message from the rock was, in essence, “danger is passed.” The S’Klallam had given over to those seeking more peaceful resolutions. čičməhán was considered a hero by the white population and from that point on was immortalized by them.

A bronze plaque was installed near Sentinel Rock in 1937 by the Lucinda Hastings Parlor No. 1 of the Native Daughters of Washington. In 1996, the city installed a sculpture of čičməhán by Dick Brown, depicting the Chief throwing off his blanket to indicate that the danger had passed.

Click the markers on the map above to visit the
trail site pages.

Trail Sign Locations:

1. Chetzemoka Park
   _{900 Jackson St. (main entrance)}
    
2. Hudson Beach/Big Heart
   _{103 Hudson St.}
    
3. Point Hudson
   _{103 Hudson St.}
    
4. Northwest Maritime Center
   _{Water St. & Monroe St.}
    
5. Village at Memorial Field
   _{Washington St.}
    
6. Fowler Building
   _{226 Adams St.}
    
7. Union Wharf/Indian Island
   _{Wharf on end of Taylor St.}
    
8. Port Townsend Ferry Overlook
   _{1200 Block of Washington St.}
    
9. Port Townsend Post Office
   _{1322 Washington St.}
    
10. qatáy Lagoon
    
     
11. Laurel Grove Cemetery
    _{24th St. & Discovery Rd.}
     
12. Swan School / Klallam language
    _{2345 Kuhn St.}
     
13. Sentinel Rock
    _{1948 Blaine St. (Golf Course)}
     
14. qatáy Prairie
    _{1948 Blaine St.}
     
15. Four Points
    _{Blaine St. & and VanBuren St.}
     
16. qatáy Valley
    _{Pacific Ave.& Milo St.}
     
17. North Beach
    _{End of Kuhn St.}
     
18. Point Wilson
    _{Fort Worden}
     

 

 

 

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Swan School / Klallam Language 

 qatáy Prairie