The precarious beginning of Spokane
seems a bit off from the bustling city is has grown into after only 140 years.
The journey the Bamontes bring us on, in their book Spokane, Our Early History, is enlightening, not only to new
Spokanites such as myself, but I’m sure to long term residents as well.
According
to the authors, if it wasn’t for a few determined and patient investors
including the “Father of Spokane,” James Glover who “tenaciously clung to his
vision and made enough right moves to build the town, and rightfully claim the
title” (18). When the Northern
pacific finally arrives in Spokane, or Spokan, the small boomtown becomes a
“city of reckoning” (p. 30). With the railroad, population increased and the
mining industry took off, creating a need for infrastructure including
utilities, public transportation, hospitals, schools, media and
telecommunications, and a fire department further cementing Spokane’s
permanence in the Inland Northwest.
James N. Glover known as the Father of Spokane. (courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture)
The
Great Spokane Fire should have been a major set back to the growing hinterland,
was instead motivation for businesses and city leaders to prove to “the world
that the spirit of Spokane was untouched” (p. 96). After massive
reconstruction, Spokane was “more impressive than ever”(p. 97) and hosted The
Northwestern Industrial Exposition.
The
Bamontes emphasize the community of Spokane when describing the various
recovery efforts from tragedy after tragedy. They demonstrate how the citizens
worked together for the benefit of the city, instead of their individual
interests, which seems to be out of the ordinary for a western boomtown.
However, they also point out times when people or businesses did take advantage
of others downfall such as The Panic of 1893 when the Northwestern and Pacific
Hypotheebank took the opportunity to take over much of the city’s real-estate.
The city was able to get through these tough times, helped along with new
construction of public buildings and again, the rally of the community around
Fort George Wright.
As
Spokane started to take root in the Inland Northwest, the development of two
sides of society formed along with it. The “darker side of Spokane” (p. 115)
consisted of the wage workers and violence, was balanced by the “Age of
Elegance,” (p. 115) which was filled with eastern cultural elite in their
elegant Kirtland Cutter mansions and automobiles. Spokane continued to grow
with large immigrant populations forming their own communities within the city,
such as the Scandinavian neighborhood of Peaceful Valley. This increase in
population brought both positive and negative changes, including vagrancy, more
saloons, grocery stores, hospitals, public transportation and electric lights.
The
Bamontes' section on significant buildings was of particular interest because
of our class project. We will be researching buildings in the community, and
with resources such as this book, we will discover the impact of certain
buildings on the community, the business inside and the owners. The city of
Spokane has worked since its founding on the Falls to live up to the vision of
James Glover
I really enjoyed all the points you made in this week's blog. I especially like the link you made in regards to the Bamontes' book and our projects in our class. In the grand scheme of things, we are supposed to understand that the landscape and infrastructure of Spokane tell the tale of Spokane, without having to read it in a history book. Though obviously prior knowledge helps out. :)
ReplyDeleteFires were such an odd thing in the nineteenth century. They were so destructive and almost impossible to control, but the result was often a revitalized city. Reminds me of burning the grass late in the winter so it'll grow in the Spring. Did people do that in Louisiana? I also thought it hilarious that Spokane's firehouses burned to the ground with such frequency.
ReplyDeleteI like the title of your blog, too. Very catchy.
I also agree about the section with the buildings and how that will help with the class project. I also find it fascinating about the age of darkness and Age of Elegence,,,, and how the river divided social class. However, Spokane as endured much from being far away from the Capital to the fires they dealt with.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that this book is a great resource for our ghost sign project. I was looking for our buildings and signs in all of the pictures but haven't seen any yet. I also liked how the Bamontes included both 'tragedy after tragedy' and local aid as well as times when people took advantage of each other. It is a very balanced book.
ReplyDelete