Spokane Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spokane Valley |
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| The Valley | |
 Spokane Valley
Location in Washington (state)
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| Floor elevation | 1,896 ft (578 m) |
| Depth | 3,309 feet (1,009 m) |
| Geography | |
| Population centers |
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| Borders on | Spokane (west), Selkirk Range (north), Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho (east), Selkirk Range (south) |
| Traversed by | Interstate 90, Washington State Route 290 |
| Rivers | Spokane River, Saltese Creek, Cable Creek |
The Spokane Valley is a long, flat area in the U.S. state of Washington. It follows the Spokane River as it flows through the southern part of the Selkirk Mountains.
This valley is home to several cities and towns, including Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, and Millwood. These places are like suburbs of the larger city of Spokane. The valley is surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains to the north and south. To the west is Spokane, and to the east is the Rathdrum Prairie, which is right at the border with Idaho.
South of the valley, you'll find Mica Peak. This mountain is the southernmost point of the Selkirk Range. It helps separate the Spokane Valley from another area called the Palouse. A big underground water source, called the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, also lies beneath part of the valley.
Contents
Climate and Nature
Most of the Spokane Valley has a Mediterranean climate. This means it usually has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, some parts, like the western side of the Saltese Uplands, are almost a semi-arid climate, which means they are much drier.
Valley History
Early Life in the Valley
For thousands of years, Native American people lived in the Spokane Valley. They moved through the area with the seasons, hunting, fishing, and gathering plants. Before European settlers arrived, the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene tribes called this valley home.
In the early 1800s, fur traders came to the Spokane territory. One of the first settlers in the valley was Antoine Plante, a French Canadian and Blackfoot man, and his wife, Mary, from the Flathead nation. Antoine built a small cabin by the Spokane River in 1849. From there, he ran a small trading post. He also operated the first ferry across the Spokane River from 1852 to 1864, which was the only way to cross the river in that area.
Washington Territory and New Settlements
In 1853, the first governor of the Washington Territory, Isaac Stevens, tried to make a peace treaty with Chief Garry and the Spokane people at Antoine Plante's cabin. However, the Spokane people were upset about losing their lands. They joined in the Coeur d'Alene War in 1858. After a battle, the tribes were weakened, and the Spokane people were moved to a reservation north of the Spokane River.
In 1862, a store was set up on the north side of the Spokane River. Soon after, a bridge was built nearby in 1864. A small community called Spokane Bridge grew around this bridge. It had the first hotel and post office in the valley. By 1871, it became a stop for the Pony Express, which delivered mail quickly across the country.
Before the 1900s, many pioneers and silver miners came to the valley from the East. They traveled by train on the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads. Spokane became a major hub for these railroads, connecting the area to the rest of the country.
Growth in the Early 1900s
In the early 1900s, the Spokane Valley grew a lot because of new ways to bring water to the land. People started using water from nearby lakes, the Spokane River, and the underground aquifer to turn dry land into farmland. For example, in 1899, a canal was built to water the Greenacres area using water from Liberty Lake. By 1922, the valley's population had grown from 1,000 to nearly 10,000 people.
Many apple orchards thrived in the valley's soil. By 1912, almost 2 million apple trees had been planted! A large packing plant was built in 1911 to handle all the apples.
Over time, some of the apple orchards were replaced by neighborhoods and smaller farms. These "truck farms" grew strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, beans, peas, watermelons, and many other vegetables. Dairy, poultry, and fur farms also started in the valley.
Mid-20th Century Changes (1930s-1950s)
During the Great Depression, jobs were hard to find. But many people in the Spokane Valley had enough land to grow food for their families. The Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce worked hard to improve the area. They helped create the first fire protection district in the valley in 1940.
Spokane University, a college, operated in the Spokane Valley from 1913 to 1933. It closed because of money problems during the Great Depression. The campus was later used by University High School and is now home to Valley Christian School.
The people of the valley always wanted to be independent from the city of Spokane. The first local newspaper, The Spokane Valley Herald, started in 1920. An airfield, later named Felts Field, was also created. A streetcar line connected the valley to Spokane and Liberty Lake, where people could enjoy music and outdoor events.
After the Grand Coulee Dam was finished in 1941, cheap electricity and plenty of water helped industries grow in the valley. An aluminum plant, a cement plant, and a paper mill were built. While the cement plant closed in the 1950s, the paper mill and aluminum plant are still there.
In the 1950s, after World War II, more people moved to the valley. Many apple orchards were replaced by new houses. The first shopping mall, University Village, was built on Sprague Avenue. This street became a main road with many stores and restaurants.
Recent Times
In the last few decades of the 1900s, many retired people moved to the Spokane Valley because housing was affordable and the weather was relatively dry. Apartment buildings and retirement homes started to appear. Today, the valley is mostly a suburban area, with a mix of families and retirees, and many stores to serve them.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Spokane Valley continued to grow quickly. More businesses opened, and the area became more urban. The Spokane Valley Mall opened in 1997, and other businesses and community areas like Mirabeau Point were developed.
Cities, Towns, and Communities
- City of Spokane Valley
- Millwood
- Otis Orchards and East Farms
- Liberty Lake
- Greenacres
- Pasadena Park
- Moab
- Chnak'Wa'qn Breaks
Protected Natural Areas
The Spokane Valley is also home to several beautiful natural areas where people can enjoy the outdoors:
- Dishman Hills Natural Resources Conservation Area
- Saltese Flats and nearby Saltese Uplands Conservation Area
- Spokane River Centennial Trail (with places like Myrtle Point Conservation, Mirabeau Park, and Gateway Conservation Area)
- Liberty Lake Conservation Area
- Cedar Grove Conservation Area
- Antoine Peak Conservation Area
- McKenzie Conservation Area and Hauser Conservation Area
Images for kids
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Plante's Crossing on the Spokane River
