Timeline of Spokane, Washington facts for kids

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Spokane, Washington, USA.

Prior to 20th century

• 1874 - Spokane Falls settlement established in Washington Territory by James N. Glover.
• 1879 - Spokane Times newspaper begins publication.
• 1880 - Population: 350.
• 1881 - Spokane Falls incorporated as a town.
• 1882 - Spokane becomes seat of Spokane County.
• 1883
  • Northern Pacific Railway begins operating.
  • Central School opens.
• 1884 - YMCA established.[1]
• 1887 - Jesuit Gonzaga College established.
• 1889
  • August 4–6: The Great Fire.
  • Union Pacific Railroad begins operating.
  • Town becomes part of the new U.S. State of Washington.
• 1890
  • Town of Spokane Falls renamed "Spokane."
  • Casino Opera House opens (approximate date).
  • Population: 19,922.
• 1891 - Spokane High School and Holy Names Academy built.
• 1892 - Great Northern Railway built.
• 1893 - September 19: Franz Ferdinand of Austria visits town incognito.
• 1894 - The Spokesman-Review newspaper in publication.
• 1895
  • Spokane County Courthouse built.
  • U.S. military Fort George Wright established near town.
• 1896 - Deaconess Hospital established.
• 1897 - Chamber of Commerce and Spokane Stock Exchange established.

20th century

• 1900 - Population: 36,848.
• 1905
  • Spokane Public Library building opens.
  • Woman’s Club formed.
• 1908 - Portland-Spokane railway begins operating.
• 1909 - Federal building constructed.
• 1910
  • Commission form of government adopted.
  • Population: 104,402.
• 1914
  • Whitworth College active.
  • Davenport Hotel in business.
  • Clemmer Theater built.
• 1915 - Spokane Mountaineers club formed.[2]
• 1916 - Eastern Washington State Historical Society established.
• 1919 - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter founded.
• 1921 - Civic building opens.
• 1925 - October: National Indian Congress held.
• 1929
  • Spokane Daily Times begins publication.
  • Cambern Dutch Shop Windmill built.
• 1933 - Grand Coulee Dam construction begins in vicinity of Spokane.
• 1935 - Benewah Milk Bottle building constructed.
• 1938 - Spokane Art Center opens.
• 1942 - U.S. military Fairchild Air Force Base begins operating near Spokane.
• 1946
  • Spokane municipal airport active.
  • Yoke's Fresh Market in business.
• 1954
  • Spokane Coliseum opens.
  • Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist built.
• 1955 - NorthTown Mall in business.
• 1960
  • Mayor-council-manager form of government adopted.
  • Population: 181,608.
• 1963
  • Spokane Community College established.
  • Civil rights protest.
• 1967 - Spokane Falls Community College opens.
• 1974
  • Spokane Convention Center built.
  • Pavilion Opera House and River Park Square shopping center open.
  • Expo '74 world's fair held in Spokane.
• 1977 - Bloomsday Run begins.
• 1978 - Spokane Fire Station Museum established.
• 1981
  • Spokane River Centennial Trail constructed.
  • Spokane Historic Landmarks Commission created.
• 1995
  • Community Health Association of Spokane active.
  • Spokane Arena opens.
• 1996 - City website online (approximate date).
• 1997
  • Spokane Preservation Advocates organized.[3]
  • Spokane Valley Mall in business near city.

21st century

• 2003
  • September 23: Gun incident at high school.
  • James E. West becomes mayor.
• 2005 - Cathy McMorris Rodgers becomes U.S. representative for Washington's 5th congressional district.
• 2010 - Population: 208,916.
• 2011 - January: Bombing attempt.
• 2012 - David Condon becomes mayor.