can be defined as "a chronological record of events, as of the life or development of a people or institution, often including an explanation of or commentary on those events." To preserve those events, monuments have often been built to remind people of what has happened throughout history. They remind us of battles that have been fought, of people who pursued their dreams, of cities that no longer exist, and of ideals that have molded human kind since the beginning of time. They exist on a grand scale, like the Taj Mahal in India and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor; and they exist on a smaller scale, like the local markers and pillars that still stand in and around Spokane County. They exist so we won't forget.
The brief accounts of history and the historic monuments we will be featuring here are pieces of history that tell the story of Spokane and the surrounding areas. They are meant to remind us of the events, people and places that helped mold the region in which we live. We hope you'll enjoy remembering - and even learn a few new things - about the cities, peoples and places that make up the great Inland Northwest.
Spokane County and The Inland Empire
Spokane, Washington, is a port of entry and the commercial, transportation, and industrial center of a productive region known as the Inland Northwest (formerly called the "Inland Empire"), comprising eastern Washington, northern Idaho, western Montana, northeastern Oregon, and southern British Columbia. It is the largest metropolitan center between Seattle, Washington, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, as the crow flies.
One of the oldest counties in Washington, Spokane County was created by an act passed by the Territorial Assembly on January 29, 1858, but not organized until 1860 - only six years after the creation of Washington Territory. Because of its annexation to Stevens County at one time, however, Spokane County was non-existent for 15 years.
The first seat of government for Spokane County was organized in 1860 at Pinkney City, a small trading post near Colville; and the first county road was officially located on February 15, 1860. When Shoshone County was created on January 9, 1861, it took only a small section away from Spokane County; but when the Idaho Territory was created in 1863, it cut off two-thirds of the then existing Spokane County. As mentioned before, it was on January 19, 1864, that Spokane County was annexed to Stevens County by act of the Territorial Legislature and Colville was named the county seat. A new law making Spokane Falls (the city) the county seat was passed by the Territorial Assembly on November 5, 1875, but it was not enforced.
Finally, in 1879 Spokane County was again established after J.N. Glover, known as the "Father of Spokane," made his historic trip to Olympia for just that purpose. The boundary lines for Spokane County, however, continued to change for another 20 years. Eventually, twenty-two counties were made out of what was originally Spokane County, five of which are in Idaho, six in Montana, and eleven in Washington. No wonder the region took on the nickname of the "Inland Empire!"
A brief timeline of Spokane County's history:
1860 First Spokane County government was organized. Pinkney City, a small trading post near Colville, was the first county seat. On February 15, 1860, the county commissioners assembled at Pinkney City and proceeded to locate the first county road.
January 19, 1864, Spokane County was annexed to Stevens County by act of the Territorial Legislature. Colville was the county seat. The reason for retaining the name Stevens County rather than Spokane County when the two counties were combined was due largely to sentiment honoring General Isaac I. Stevens, by naming the county after him. Stevens, the first Territorial Governor of Washington, had volunteered his services to the Union cause in the Civil War, and was killed in action in Sept. 1862 at the Battle of Chantilly.
November 5, 1875 Law making Spokane Falls the county seat was passed by the Territorial Assembly but was not enforced.
1879 Spokane County was again established, after a trip to Olympia by J.N. Glover, known as the "Father of Spokane."
1880 First county seat election was held.
1883 Lincoln County was sub-divided from Spokane County and the present county boundaries were established.
1886 County seat was moved to Spokane after a second election.
1893 Construction of the present County Courthouse began.
1885-99 Twenty-two counties were made out of what was originally Spokane County. Five of these are in Idaho, six in Montana, and eleven in Washington.
Also see:
We plan to compile photos and information on historic monuments that are still standing today throughout the Inland Northwest, so visit often to check on our progress. In addition to providing valuable historic information about the region in general, we hope these glimpses back into history will spark new interest in helping to preserve and maintain the historic resources currently located here.
Have some history you'd like to share with us? Simply email it to Editor@spokane.net, along with your full name and the city you live in. If we post the information, you'll get credit for it.