Uniontown

Founder of Uniontown - Thomas Montgomery

Thomas was referred to by his family as “a bit of a wanderer.” For some unknown reason Thomas Freeborn Latson left New York during the Civil War in 1863. By the time he reached Uniontown in 1867 he had changed his name to Thomas Montgomery. He filed a homestead claim in 1874, obtained a post office for Uniontown in 1878 and filed the plat for Uniontown in 1879. Thomas Montgomery was apparently a difficult man to get along with and several businesses moved buildings and businesses three miles down the road to the competing community of Colton due to disputes with Mr. Montgomery. Thomas Montgomery continued to buy and sell property in Uniontown until 1883. On December 8, 1883, Thomas was given money for a property transaction with D.M. White of Lewiston for real estate in Uniontown. He never returned. He was found dead on the Lewiston Hill. At first it was thought his runaway team had killed him, but then 2 bullet holes were found in his head plus a bullet in one of the horses. No investigation was made in either Whitman or Nez Perce county.

The History of St. Boniface Church

One of the other constructive but difficult characters in Uniontown’s history was Father Anton Joehren. He started the project to build the existing St. Boniface church in 1888 but because of his difficult nature, the Benedictine Sisters moved from Uniontown to the new parish in Colton in 1894. Many of the first settlers were first or second generation German and Swiss immigrants with a strong but not exclusive Catholic background.

Historic Pictures

Circus History: Some of the smaller circus troupes used to take time to stop at smaller towns on their circuits. The last of these to arrive was the Anderson 3 Ring Circus. The traditional circus parade of elephants, one of which was a baby elephant riding a tricycle for one block, preceded it's performance in the local park where they had set up their big top. Uniontown's reputation for large stock shows, carnivals, and other crowd pleasing events was the reason the Anderson circus chose Uniontown for it's performance.

The Palm Building: This building was originally known as The Peter Jacobs Brewery and Opera House. Records show that this two story building was built in 1893. The second floor of the building has a stage and seating for an audience of considerable size, plus a hardwood maple dance floor. It was the town's first opera house and show place. Peter Jacobs died at the age of 36 in 1893 when he was stricken with gangrene. The building was sold to Jacobs family members, George & Bernard. In 1899 they entered into a partnership with Joseph Portz. Joseph bought them out in 1899 and changed the name to "The Palm Building".

The information contained on this page came from the book of "Uniontown", written by Viola Weis. If you are interested learning more about Uniontown's History, please contact the Uniontown Branch of Whitman County Library and ask for the book of "Uniontown"


Bud E. Anderson - Last Circus Parade 1941	The Palm Building - Saloon & Opera House 1898