History of Spokane, Washington in Timeline

Spokane, Washington, is the largest city in eastern Washington and the seat of Spokane County. Situated along the Spokane River near the Selkirk Mountains and Rocky Mountain foothills, it is located 92 miles south of the Canadian border and 18.5 miles west of the Idaho border. Spokane is 279 miles east of Seattle, accessible via Interstate 90. As a major urban center in the Inland Northwest, Spokane serves as a hub for commerce, culture, and transportation in the region.

1900: Spokane Population

By 1900, with the arrival of additional railroads, Spokane's population had grown to 36,848.

1904: Founding of Spokane Public Library in 1904

In 1904, the Spokane Public Library was founded with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

1906: Spokane sues under the Hepburn Act

In 1906, Spokane sued under the newly passed Hepburn Act.

1907: Olmsted Brothers Plan for Spokane Parks

In 1907, Spokane's board of park commissioners hired the Olmsted Brothers to develop a plan for the city's parks.

September 1908: IWW Free Speech Fight

In September 1908, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) initiated a free speech fight in Spokane by purposely violating a city ordinance on soapboxing to protest unethical employment agency practices.

May 6, 1909: Water Purity Study Published

On May 6, 1909, a study published in The Spokesman-Review by City bacteriologist, Frank Rose found only seven or eight germs per cubic centimeter of water.

1909: Riverfront Park Looff Carousel Creation

In 1909, the historic hand-carved Riverfront Park Looff carousel was created by Charles I. D. Looff.

June 19, 1910: First Father's Day Observation in Spokane

The first observation of Father's Day in Spokane occurred on June 19, 1910.

1910: Spokane Population Reaches 104,000

By 1910, Spokane's population had reached 104,000, and it surpassed Walla Walla as the commercial center of the Inland Empire.

1910: The Great Fire

On August 4, 1910, the Great Fire, not to be confused with the Great Spokane Fire of 1889, occurred nearby.

July 24, 1911: Spokane wins Hepburn Act lawsuit

On July 24, 1911, Spokane won a lawsuit under the Hepburn Act.

1912: Construction Boom Ends

Around 1912, a construction boom that had modernized Spokane with office buildings, banks, department stores, and hotels came to an end.

1913: Aviation at Felts Field Dates Back to 1913

Aviation at Felts Field dates back to 1913, and the strip served as Spokane's primary airport until commercial air traffic was redirected to Geiger Field after World War II.

1913: Establishment of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane

In 1913, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane was established.

September 1914: Davenport Hotel Opening

In September 1914, the Davenport Hotel opened, featuring new technologies such as chilled water, elevators, and air cooling.

1914: Whitworth Moved to Spokane in 1914

In 1914, Whitworth University moved to its present location in Spokane.

1914: Whitworth University Moves to North Spokane

In 1914, Whitworth University, a private Presbyterian institution initially founded three years prior, relocated to north Spokane.

December 15, 1915: Division Street Bridge Collapse

On December 15, 1915, the collapse of the Division Street Bridge in Spokane resulted in five deaths and over 20 injuries.

1920: Spokane Population Increase

The 1920 census indicated a minimal net population increase of just 35 individuals in Spokane, suggesting a significant departure of residents.

1922: Decline of Streetcar Service Beginning in 1922

In 1922, streetcar service in Spokane began to decline due to reduced ridership.

1924: Hillyard Annexed by Spokane

In 1924, the township of Hillyard, which was the site of James J. Hill's rail yards, was annexed by Spokane.

1927: Felts Field Receives Official Recognition in 1927

In 1927, the strip at Felts Field was one of the first in the western U.S. to receive official recognition as an airport by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

1929: Establishment of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane

In 1929, the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane was established.

1930: Residential Architecture

The Browne's Addition neighborhood features residential architecture from the late 19th century to 1930, including Victorian and Queen Anne styles.

1931: Art Deco restoration

The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, was restored to its original 1931 Art Deco state after years of being derelict.

August 1936: End of Streetcar Service in Spokane in August 1936

By August 1936, all streetcar lines in Spokane had been abandoned or converted to motor buses.

1941: Airport Named After Major Harold Geiger in 1941

In 1941, the airport was named after Army aviator Major Harold Geiger.

1948: Modernist Movement Flourishes

In the second half of the 20th century, beginning around 1948, the modernist movement in architecture flourished in Spokane.

December 20, 1952: KHQ-TV 6 On Air in 1952

On December 20, 1952, KHQ-TV 6, Spokane's first television station, went on air.

1960: Legacy of Geiger Field Days Before 1960

Before 1960, Spokane International Airport had the three-letter designation 'GEG', a legacy of the Geiger Field days.

1962: Spokane Jazz Orchestra Formation

The Spokane Jazz Orchestra, a 70-piece orchestra and non-profit organization, was formed in 1962.

1970: Spokane Indians Win Pacific Coast League Championship in 1970

In 1970, the Spokane Indians won the Pacific Coast League championship.

1974: All-America City Award

Spokane was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League in 1974.

1974: Demolition of Chinatown

Spokane's Chinatown community was demolished in 1974 due to urban blight and preparations for Expo '74.

1981: U.S. Recession Impacts Spokane

In 1981, a U.S. recession caused a drop in silver, timber, and farm prices, impacting Spokane's economy.

1981: First African-American Mayor

Spokane elected James Everett Chase as its first African-American mayor in 1981.

1982: The Spokane Daily Chronicle Ended Publication in 1982

In 1982, The Spokane Daily Chronicle, a significant newspaper, ceased publication.

1982: Spokane Indians Short-Season-A Debut in 1982

In 1982, the Spokane Indians made their Short-Season-A debut.

1988: Metropolitan Performing Arts Center Restoration

The Metropolitan Performing Arts Center was restored in 1988.

1988: Fraud trends

Trends of fraud were noted in 1988.

1991: Influx of Immigrants After Dissolution of the USSR

After the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, there was a large influx of immigrants and their families from countries in the former Soviet Union into Spokane.

1991: Spokane Chiefs Win Memorial Cup in 1991

In 1991, the Spokane Chiefs won the Memorial Cup for the first time.

December 1993: Increase in Drive-by Shootings in December 1993

In December 1993, Spokane experienced a surge in drive-by shootings, with four incidents recorded in that month alone.

1994: Tom Foley's Defeat in 1994

In 1994, Tom Foley, a Democratic Speaker of the House who had served as a representative of Washington's 5th district for 30 years, faced defeat in what was known as the "Republican Revolution". This marked the only time since 1860 that U.S. voters ousted a sitting Speaker of the House.

1994: Replacement of Division Street Bridge

The Division Street Bridge, originally built after the collapse in 1915, was replaced in 1994.

1995: Unity in the Community Celebration

Spokane has hosted an annual multicultural celebration, Unity in the Community, since 1995.

1998: Spokane Hosts 1998 Memorial Cup

In 1998, Spokane hosted the Memorial Cup, the championship game of the Canadian Hockey League.

1998: Kaiser Aluminum Labor Strike

In 1998, the Kaiser Aluminum plant experienced layoffs, pension cuts, and a labor strike.

1999: Establishment of the Spokane Washington Temple

The Spokane Washington Temple, established in 1999, serves Latter-day Saints from the east of the county.

1999: Kaiser Aluminum Labor Strike Continues

The labor strike at the Kaiser Aluminum plant continued into 1999.

1999: Opening of River Park Square

The opening of the River Park Square in 1999 served as a catalyst and sparked a downtown rebirth.

2000: Russian and Ukrainian ancestry in Spokane County

According to the 2000 Census, the number of people of Russian or Ukrainian ancestry in Spokane County was reported to be 7,700 (4,900 residing in the city of Spokane), amounting to two percent of the county.

2002: Avista Corporation Fortune 500 Ranking

Avista Corporation was ranked 299 on the Fortune 500 list in 2002.

2002: Spokane Hosts 2002 Skate America

In 2002, Spokane hosted the 2002 Skate America figure skating competition.

2002: Kaiser Aluminum Bankruptcy

In 2002, the Kaiser Aluminum plant declared bankruptcy.

2004: All-America City Award

Spokane was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League in 2004.

2006: Death of Otto Zehm in 2006

In 2006, Otto Zehm, a mentally challenged man, died after being struck with batons and tasered by Spokane police officers who initially suspected him of theft at a convenience store. Zehm was later found to have committed no crime.

2006: Renaming Metropolitan Performing Arts Center

The Metropolitan Performing Arts Center was renamed the Bing Crosby Theater in 2006.

2007: Spokane Hosts 2007 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

In 2007, the city of Spokane hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in the Spokane Arena, which set an attendance record with nearly 155,000 tickets sold.

2008: Spokane Chiefs Win Memorial Cup in 2008

In 2008, the Spokane Chiefs won the Memorial Cup for the second time.

2009: Spokane Named 'Scam Capital of America'

Forbes named Spokane the "Scam Capital of America" in 2009 due to widespread business fraud.

2009: Spokane Islamic Center Opening

The city's first mosque opened in 2009 as the Spokane Islamic Center.

2010: Religion Data

According to the Association of Religion Data Archives' 2010 Metro Area Membership Report, the denominational affiliations of the Spokane MSA are 64,277 Evangelical Protestant, 682 Black Protestant, 24,826 Mainline Protestant, 754 Orthodox, 66,202 Catholic, 31,674 Other, and 339,338 Unclaimed.

2010: The Spokesman-Review Circulation

As of 2010, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane's major daily newspaper, had a daily circulation of over 76,000.

2010: Spokane's Auto Theft Rate in 2010

In 2010, Spokane had the fourth-highest rate of auto theft in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

2010: Spokane Hosts 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships

In 2010, Spokane hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which ended eighteen days before the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

November 2011: David Condon Elected Mayor

David Condon was elected mayor in November 2011 and took office on the last business day of the year.

2011: Whitworth's Enrollment in 2011

As of 2011, Whitworth had 2,500 students studying in 53 different undergraduate and degree programs.

2011: Spokane's Auto Theft Rate in 2011

In 2011, Spokane had the fourth-highest rate of auto theft in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

2011: Fraud trends

Trends of fraud were noted continuing through 2011.

2012: Crime Rates in Spokane Metropolitan Area in 2012

In 2012, the crime rate per 1,000 people in the Spokane metropolitan area (Spokane County) was 64.8, higher than the Washington state average of 38.3. The violent crime rate of 3.8 and property crime rate of 61 also exceeded the statewide averages of 2.5 and 35.8, respectively.

2012: Spokane County's Voting Trends in 2012 Election

In the 2012 general election, Spokane County favored Mitt Romney for president over Barack Obama by 51.5 to 45.7 percent. The county supported the legalization of recreational marijuana by 52.2 to 47.9 percent, but opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage by 55.9 to 44.1 percent.

2012: Spokane Ranked 'Worst City For Jobs'

Spokane was ranked the #1 "Worst City For Jobs" in America in 2012.

2013: Top Five Employers in Spokane

As of 2013, the top five employers in Spokane are the State of Washington, Spokane Public Schools, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital, the 92d Air Refueling Wing, and Spokane County.

2013: WSU Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Building Completion

In 2013, the WSU Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences Building was completed.

2014: Spokane Public Schools as Second-Largest District in 2014

As of 2014, Spokane Public Schools (District 81) was the largest public school system in Spokane and the second-largest in the state, serving roughly 30,000 students.

2014: Spokane's Economic Transition

As of 2014, Spokane was still in the process of transitioning to a more service-oriented economy while facing challenges such as a scarcity of high-paying jobs and areas of high crime.

2014: Economic Development Focus

As of 2014, economic development in the Spokane area primarily focuses on promoting manufacturing, health sciences, professional services, information science and technology, finance and insurance, clean technology, and digital media.

2014: Hospital Statistics

In 2014, Sacred Heart Hospital had 642 beds, with 28,319 admissions, 71,543 emergency room visits, and 2,982 births annually. Deaconess Medical Center had 388 beds as of 2014.

2014: Smart Growth America Study

Smart Growth America in a 2014 study ranked the census defined MSA as the 22nd most compact and connected in the nation using their Sprawl Index factors: development density, land use mix, activity centering, and street accessibility.

2014: Spokane Ranked #4 'Worst City For Jobs'

Spokane was ranked #4 "Worst City For Jobs" in America in 2014.

2015: Davenport Grand Hotel Completion

In 2015, the Davenport Grand Hotel was completed.

2015: All-America City Award

Spokane was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League in 2015.

2015: Spokane Ranked 'Worst City For Jobs'

Spokane was ranked the #1 "Worst City For Jobs" in America in 2015.

June 2016: Wolf packs in eastern Washington

As of June 2016, there were 16 wolf packs in eastern Washington.

August 2016: Wolf sighting in Mount Spokane State Park

In August 2016, photo evidence confirmed a solitary wolf in Mount Spokane State Park.

October 2016: Riverfront Park Renovation

As of October 2016, Riverfront Park was being renovated and modernized.

2016: Jewish congregations

As of 2016, there were also at least three Jewish congregations in Spokane.

2016: Spokane Hosts 2016 Team Challenge Cup

In 2016, Spokane hosted the Team Challenge Cup.

2017: Gross metropolitan product

In 2017, the Spokane–Spokane Valley MSA had a gross metropolitan product of $25.5 billion while the Coeur d'Alene metropolitan area was $5.93 billion.

2018: Ridpath Hotel Completion

In 2018, the Ridpath Hotel was completed.

May 2019: Renovation of Riverfront Park

As of May 2019, the renovation of Riverfront Park was ongoing.

2020: 2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 228,989 people and 101,130 households in the city.

2020: Walk Score of Spokane in 2020

In 2020, Spokane had an average Walk Score of 49, indicating that most errands require a car.

2020: Spokane Population

In 2020, Spokane's population was recorded at 228,989, making it the second-most populous city in Washington, while the Spokane metropolitan area had an estimated 605,000 residents.

2021: The Spokane Daily Chronicle Returned in 2021

In 2021, The Spokane Daily Chronicle returned after having previously ended publication in 1982.

2021: Spokane Indians Become Farm Team of Colorado Rockies in 2021

In 2021, the Spokane Indians became a farm team of the Colorado Rockies.

2022: American Community Survey Estimates

According to the 2022 American Community Survey estimates, Spokane had a population of 230,176 people and 101,130 households.

2022: Spokane metropolitan area population

As of the 2022 census estimates, the Spokane metropolitan area had a population of 597,919.

2022: Spokane Relaxed Zoning Regulations in 2022

In 2022, Spokane relaxed its zoning regulations to permit on an interim basis duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes in all residential zones of Spokane.

July 2023: Introduction of City Line Bus Rapid Transit in July 2023

In July 2023, Spokane Transit Authority (STA) introduced Eastern Washington's first bus rapid transit (BRT) route, City Line.

2023: Spokane Permanently Permitted More Housing Units in 2023

In 2023, Spokane permanently permitted up to six housing units to be built on any lot in a residential area, as well as allow nonresidential businesses (such as grocery stores) and facilities (such as schools and churches) in residential areas.