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What Spokane, WA looked like in the 20th Century Through Fascinating Historical Photos

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At the turn of the 20th-century, expansion abruptly stopped in Spokane, and the population also declined. Local people and organizations lost control of regional mines and resources to national corporations, which diverted capital outside of Spokane and decreased investment and growth opportunities in the city. The stagnation created unrest among the area’s unemployed, who were victimized by “job sharks” who charged fees for signing up workers. It was well known that job sharks and employment agencies would cheat itinerant workers by bribing them to fire entire work crews periodically, generating repeat fees for themselves.

Spokane’s economy became dominated by agriculture and logging after the decline of mining at the turn of the 20th century. In northern Idaho and southern British Columbia, the logging industry was fueled by population growth and homes, railroads, and mines. Spokane became a notable leader in manufacturing doors, window sashes, blinds, and other planning mill products. Despite being overshadowed by large timbered areas west of the Cascades and facing stiff competition from rail freight rates. Spokane had higher rail freight rates than coastal seaport cities such as Seattle and Portland so that Minneapolis merchants could ship first to Seattle and then back to Spokane for less than shipping directly to Spokane, even though the rail line passed through Spokane on the way to the coast.

Below are some fascinating historical photos that will take you back to the 20th century Spokane.

#1 Spokane Club, 1940s

Spokane Club, 1940s

The building, which was designed by Kirtland K. Cutter, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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#4 People in front of log building in Mount Spokane State Park, 1930s

People in front of log building in Mount Spokane State Park, 1930s

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#5 Three-story wooden house with gingerbread trim on corner and porch in 2nd Avenue, Spokane, 1968

Three-story wooden house with gingerbread trim on corner and porch in 2nd Avenue, Spokane, 1968

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#9 Sunset Highway to Spokane, 1940s

Sunset Highway to Spokane, 1940s

Image shows the Western approach to Spokane, Washington on the Sunset Highway. A red convertible is parked on the side of the road, and a man and woman stand outside of the car looking toward Spokane. Two more women are seated inside the convertible. Spokane can be seen in the distance.

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#10 Wendle Fordtown at Division and Wellesley, Spokane, 1960s

Wendle Fordtown at Division and Wellesley, Spokane, 1960s

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#18 Spokane, 1950s

Spokane, 1950s

Four views of Spokane from a distance; one aerial, 1950s. Aerial view includes Spokane Falls and Monroe Street Bridge.

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#19 Spokane Civic Center, 1945

Spokane Civic Center, 1945

At left is Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church. At right are the Sunset Club and the Masonic Temple. Parked cars line the street.

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#23 Mt. Spokane, chalet below summit, 1947

Mt. Spokane, chalet below summit, 1947

A stone building on Mount Spokane. Two young women sit on either side of the steps up to the porch, where an older man and woman sit at a table, drinking sodas. One of the women holds skis and ski poles. To the right, another woman and man sit in a convertible car.

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#25 Rancho Rambler at Second and Bernard, Spokane, 1960s

Rancho Rambler at Second and Bernard, Spokane, 1960s

Image shows a Rancho Rambler dealership in Spokane, Washington, located at Second Avenue and Bernard Street. Cars are visible through the window.

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#26 Second Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe in Spokane, 1960s

Second Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe in Spokane, 1960s

Image shows a Dodge dealership at Second Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe in Spokane, Washington. "Dodge Job Rated Trucks" and "Dodge Rapid Service" signs are visible. The Freeman Center and steam plant towers are visible in the background.

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#27 Steps to Vista House in Mount Spokane State Park, 1935

Steps to Vista House in Mount Spokane State Park, 1935

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#29 Downtown Spokane, 1930s

Downtown Spokane, 1930s

Image shows Riverside Avenue at Monroe Street in downtown Spokane. At far left is the statue of John Robert Monaghan, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church. At right are the Sunset Club and the Masonic Temple. Parked cars line the street.

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#30 Downtown Spokane, 1935

Downtown Spokane, 1935

Image shows Riverside Avenue in Spokane. The camera faces west, from near Washington Street. View includes the Paulsen Center and the Old National Bank building. Cars drive down the street and are parked along the sidewalks. Pedestrians are visible.

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#35 A man and woman standing on a rock formation above a highway, 1940s.

A man and woman standing on a rock formation above a highway, 1940s.

The man, wearing a t-shirt and khakis, points out beyond the road. The woman stands next to him holding sunglasses and wearing striped capris, wedge sandals, and a halter top. Spokane is visible in the background. Cars pass by on the road below them.

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#43 Peeling the tamarack logs utilized in community cabin, 1930s

Peeling the tamarack logs utilized in community cabin, 1930s

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#47 Spokane, showing Riverside Avenue from East, 1940s

Spokane, showing Riverside Avenue from East, 1940s

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#48 Riverside Avenue from West, 1951

Riverside Avenue from West, 1951

Billboards for "Hoffman Bros. Music Co." Eastern Outfitting Company, Fisher's Drugs, The Crescent, Goodman's Pianos, Western Supply. Also includes automobiles, buses, and pedestrians.

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#49 Second Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe in Spokane, 1960s

Second Avenue between Lincoln and Monroe in Spokane, 1960s

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#50 Spokane Street Bridge, 1950s

Spokane Street Bridge, 1950s

Photograph looking northwest of the old Spokane Street Bridge over the Duwamish Waterway between West Seattle and Harbor Island

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#51 Abandoned buildings in Molson, 1963

Abandoned buildings in Molson, 1963

Ghost town Molson with former bank building, wallpaper in abandoned farmhouse, barn, outbuildings, farm equipment, windmill labelled Spokane Red Cross.

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#53 Grand Coulee Dam construction, Spokane, 1937

Grand Coulee Dam construction, Spokane, 1937

Including views of the cofferdam, excavation of the west bank of the Columbia River, cement mixing, and the suspension bridge over the project.

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#57 Spokane Street and Airport Way in Seattle, 1920s

Spokane Street and Airport Way in Seattle, 1920s

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Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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