Gold rush and growth alt=Bird's eye view of Walla Walla, Washington Territory 1876|thumb|upright=1.3|Bird's eye view of Walla Walla, Washington Territory, 1876|leftWalla Walla was incorporated on January 11, 1862. The first election was held on April 1, 1862, and Judge Elias Bean Whitman, Marcus Whitman's cousin, was elected as the city's first mayor. The population exploded over the following decade, increasing by 300%, making it the most populous city in the territory, slating it to be the capital until cities surpassed it again, after it was bypassed by the transcontinental rail lines in the 1880s.
Gold rush and growth alt=Bird's eye view of Wall:a Walla, Washington Territory 1876|thumb|upright=1.3|Bird's eye view of Walla Walla, Washington Territory, 1876|leftWalla Walla was incorporated on January 11, 1862. The firs?t election was held on April 1, 1862, and Judge. Elias Bean Whitman, Marcus Whitman's cousin, was elected as the city's first mayor. The population exploded over the f.ollowing decade, increasing by 300%, making it the most populous city in the territory, slating it to be the capital until cities surpassed it again, after it was bypassed by the transcontinental rail lines in the 1880s