An alternative explanation is that Wallowa is derived from a Nez Perce word for "winding water".

In 1871, the first white settlers came to the area, crossing the mountains in search of livestock feed in the Wallowa Valley.

In 1877, the younger Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, incensed at the government's attempt to remove his people from the Wallowa Valley, refused to relocate to the reservation in north central Idaho.

Of the seven rustlers and schoolboys believed to have been responsible, only three were brought to trial in Enterprise, where a jury found them not guilty on September 1, 1888.

A proposal to commemorate this event on official maps as Chinese Massacre Cove was approved in 2005 and encompasses a five-acre site.

[6] Wallowa County Courthouse was built in 1909–1910, using locally quarried Bowlby stone, a type of volcanic tuff.

It is a Romanesque Revival-style building with Queen Anne architectural elements in some exterior features.

Today, it still houses Wallowa County government offices and faces west toward South River Street and is surrounded by Courthouse Square which encompasses one city block, approximately 1.3 acres (1 ha).

The square is landscaped with oak, pine, maple, linden, juniper, and flowering crab apple trees.

[7][8][9] United States Supreme Court Associate Justice William O. Douglas was one famous summer visitor to Wallowa County, building a vacation cabin on Lostine River Road in 1939.

In December 2003, a developer announced a proposal to buy a 62-acre (0.25 km2) property near Wallowa Lake, and build 11 homes on it.

This proposal drew opposition from a local group, as well as from the Nez Perce, Colville, and Umatilla tribes.

Other geographic features include: As of the 2010 census, there were 7,008 people, 3,133 households, and 2,024 families residing in the county.

Wallowa County is located in Oregon State House District 58 which is currently represented by Bobby Levy.

The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners is currently made up of Susan Roberts, Todd Nash and John Hillock.

[citation needed] Since 1985, three bronze foundries and a number of related businesses specializing in statue-making have opened in Joseph and Enterprise, helping to stabilize the local economy.

[citation needed] The Forest Service is the largest landlord in the county, owning 56% of the land.