Spokane County, Washington

American Firebrick Company Amman Anderson, Louise Chandler, House Barnett, Alonzo and Louise, House Bauer, Harvey and Mary, House Bell, Dr. Robert and Jessie, House Benewah Milk Bottle Binkley, J. W., House Bleeker, Harry and Catherine, House Breslin Brooks, Kenneth and Edna, House Browne's Addition Historic District Bump Block-Bellevue House-Hawthorne Hotel California Ranch Cambern Dutch Shop Windmill Campbell House Canfield, George and Nellie. House Central Schoolhouse (District No. 49) Central Steam Heat Plant Cheney Interurban Depot Cheney Odd Fellows Hall Christiansen, George and Blanche, House City of Cheney Historic District City Ramp Garage Clark Mansion Clemmer Theater Coeur d'Alene Park Columbia Building Commercial Block Coolidge-Rising House Corbet-Aspray House Corbin Park Historic District Corbin, Daniel C. and Anna, House Cowley Park Davenport Hotel Desmet Avenue Warehouse Historic District Dodd House Dodson Building Dybdall Gristmill East Downtown Historic District Ehrenberg, Gus and Florence, House Eldridge Building Empire State Building Felts Field Historic District Finch House Finch, John A., Memorial Nurses Home Finch, John A., School First Congregational Church of Spokane Five Mile Prairie School Fort George Wright Historic District Fox Theater Franklin Elementary School Frequency Changing Station Fuller, W. P., and Company Warehouse Garland Theater Germond Block Globe Hotel, The Glover House Grace Baptist Church Hallett House Ham-McEachern House Hill-Hilscher House Hillyard High School Hillyard Historic Business District Holley-Mason Building Holy Names Academy Building Hotel Upton Hutton Building Hutton Settlement Hutton Settlement District (Boundary Increase) Hutton, Levi and May Arkwright, House Italian Rock Ovens Kemp & Hebert Building Kiesow-Gentsch House Knickerbocker Knight House Koerner House Latah School Levesque-Majer House Lewis & Clark High School Lewis and Clark High School (Boundary Decrease) Littlebrook Lowe, David, House Marshall Bridge Marycliff-Cliff Park Historic District McKinley School McMillen-Dyar House Meese, Gustav, Building Miller Block Millwood Historic District Mission Avenue Historic District Monroe Street Bridge Montvale Block Mount Saint Michael Mount Spokane Vista House Muzzy-Shine House Natatorium Carousel Nettleton's Addition Historic District Nine Mile Hydroelectric Power Plant Historic District Ninth Avenue Historic District Opportunity Township Hall Otis Hotel Palmer, Eben and Cynthia, Farmstead Peaceful Valley Historic District Peyton Building and Peyton Annex Piollet, Victor & Jean, House Ralston, John and Mary, House Review Building Riblet, Royal, House Richardson-Jackson House Ridpath Hotel Riverside Avenue Historic District Robinwood Aparments Rockwood Historic District Rogers, John R., High School Roosevelt Apartments Roosevelt Hall Rosebush House Salvation Army Building San Marco Schade Brewery Sears, Roebuck Department Store Seehorn-Lang Building Seligman, William O. and Stella M., House Smith, Edwin A., House Solby, William and Margaret, House Spokane & Inland Empire Railroad Car Facility Spokane City Hall Building Spokane Club Building-Legion Building Spokane County Courthouse Spokane Fire Station No. 3 Spokane Flour Mill Spokane Public Library Spokane Public Library Spokane Public Library Spokane Public Library Spokane Sash and Door Company Flats Sunset Boulevard Bridge Sutton Barn Thomas, Dr. Charles and Elsie, House Tuell, Frank and Maude, House Turner, Luther P. and Jane Marie, House US Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House Warner, William and Ella, House Washington State Normal School at Cheney Historic District Washington Street Bridge Weaver, Lawrence and Lydia, House West Downtown Historic Transportation Corridor West Valley High School Whitten Block Wilbur, Ralston and Sarah, House Williams, James and Corinne, House

Spokane County, located in the eastern part of Washington state, has a rich and vibrant history. The area was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, particularly the Spokane Tribe, for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. In 1807, the area was explored by the North West Company, a prominent fur trading company, led by David Thompson. However, it was not until the mid-1800s when permanent settlements started to form.

In 1871, James N. Glover, an entrepreneur and politician, founded Spokane Falls, which later became Spokane City, the county seat. The initial growth of the city was driven by its strategic location as a transportation hub, serving as a stopover for rail and river transportation. In the late 1800s, the discovery of gold in the region brought a significant influx of settlers and miners, leading to a rapid expansion of the county.

During the early 20th century, Spokane County faced significant challenges and transformations. The Great Spokane Fire of 1889 devastated much of downtown Spokane, leading to a significant rebuilding effort. The development of hydroelectric power in the region also played a crucial role in attracting industries and boosting economic growth.

Throughout the 20th century, Spokane County continued to grow into a major urban center, while also facing social and environmental changes. The county played a significant role in the labor movement, with unions and strikes becoming prevalent in the early 1900s. In recent years, Spokane County has seen continued growth and diversification, with a focus on healthcare, higher education, and outdoor recreation.

Overall, Spokane County's history is marked by the resilience and adaptability of its inhabitants, as they navigated through changes in industry, transportation, and social dynamics to make it the thriving community it is today.
Brief timeline of the history of Spokane County, Washington:

  • 1810: Spokane County is inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene tribes.
  • 1829: The area is explored by British fur traders from the Hudson's Bay Company.
  • 1853: Washington Territory is created, and Spokane County is established as a part of it.
  • 1871: The city of Spokane is founded.
  • 1881: The Northern Pacific Railway reaches Spokane, leading to rapid growth and development.
  • 1883: Spokane County is officially organized.
  • 1889: Spokane receives electric streetcars, further boosting urbanization.
  • 1892: Spokane experiences a major fire that destroys much of the downtown area.
  • 1902: Expo '74, the World's Fair, is held in Spokane, bringing international attention to the city.
  • 1974: Spokane County welcomes the World's Fair, attracting millions of visitors.
  • 1996: Spokane Valley is incorporated as a city, separating from Spokane County.
  • 2010: Spokane County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
  • 2021: Spokane County continues to grow and prosper, with a vibrant economy and diverse communities.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Spokane County, Washington.