In 1852 Congress appropriated $20,000 for a military road from Fort Steilacoom to Fort Walla Walla, and citizens supplemented the appropriation to help build the road through Nachess Pass to Walla Walla in 1853. The road was made passable in 1885. In 1857 Congress appropriated $88,000 for a military road from Steilacoom to Bellingham.