Fort Simcoe is located in the middle of the Yakama Nation Reservation on state lands after a lovely drive through alfalfa, mint, and hops files. It was constructed 1859 to keep watch over the newly-formed reservation and later served as a school for Yakama Nation children for "reading and writing to trade skills" as the interpretive sign says. The Yakama Cultural Center, near the border of the Reservation, tells a different side of the story stating planing that the tribe's children for forced to attend the school and treated in a manner as do discourage the continuation of their cultural traditions. It's worthwhile to take both views under consideration. Add in the Gothic Revival homes and you can see a glimpse of two worlds trying to co-exist. I'll also note that the only other people at the part when I was there was a Yakama family watching their kids tote around on the juggle-jim and a maintenance worker who appeared to be Nation member himself, times change (for the better in this case I think).