Descending the Touchet about twenty miles we reach its junction with the Walla Walla, and there we find another of the fine little towns which border that beautiful and historic stream.
TOUCHET
The Town of Touchet is at a lower level, only 450 feet above sea level, and by reason of that and of its more westerly situation it has higher temperature and less rainfall than any other of the Touchet towns. It is consequently an irrigated fruit and alfalfa section. The splendid Gardena District on the south and the productive lands in the Touchet and Walla Walla bottoms north and east and at their junction, give the town a commanding location. It is accordingly an active business center, with several well stocked stores, a bank, an attractive church of the Congregational order, and a number of pleasant homes.
The pride of the place, however, like that of Prescott is the school building. This is a singularly attractive building, built for the future, though well utilized in the present. The valuation of school property in the Touchet District is $27,500, practically all represented in the high school building with its equipment. There is a total enrollment of 203 pupils with eight teachers. There are forty pupils in the high school, and a four year course is provided.
GENERAL SCHOOL STATISTICS
The following statistics from the report of the state superintendent for 1917 will indicate the general condition of the schools of Walla Walla County. These figures are for the school year 1915-16.
| Male | Female | Total | |
| Number of census children, June 1, 1916 | 3,646 | 3,706 | 7,352 |
| Number of pupils enrolled in public schools | 3,122 | 2,838 | 5,960 |
| Average daily attendance | 2,466 | 2,237 | 4,703 |
| Total number of teachers employed | 218 | ||
| Average salary paid high school teachers | $ 990.10 | ||
| Average salary paid grade teachers | 788.45 | ||
| Average salary of superintendents, principals, and supervisors | 1,328.00 | ||
| Number of children over six years of age not attending school | 600 | ||
| Number of children between the ages of five and fifteen yearsnot attending school | 32 | ||
From every point of view it may be said that the schools of Walla Walla County (as will be seen in later chapters the same is true of Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties) have kept pace with the general progress of the regions in which they are located.
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS