Spokane, Washington

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{{Infobox City |official_name = Spokane, Washington |nickname = The Lilac City |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = Spokane in Spokane County.png |mapsize = |map_caption = Location of Spokane in
Spokane County and Washington |subdivision_type = Country
State
County |subdivision_name = United States
Washington
Spokane |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Dennis P. Hession |area_magnitude = |area_total = 151.6 |area_land = 149.6 |area_water = 2.0 |population_as_of = 2000 |population_note = |population_total = 199,630 |population_metro = 435,644 |population_density = |timezone = PST |utc_offset = -8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = -7 |latd=47 |latm=40 |lats=24 |latNS=N |longd=117 |longm=24 |longs=37 |longEW=W |elevation = |region = |website = http://www.spokanecity.org/ |footnotes = }} Spokane (pronounced "spō-CAN" Template:IPA) is the county seat of Spokane County in the State of Washington, USA. It was originally incorporated as "Spokan Falls" (without an 'e' at the end), drawing on the Spokan Native American group of that name, which means "Children of the Sun." Spokane is also known as the seat of the Inland Empire. It is situated at the falls of the Spokane River, where the river descends from the Rocky Mountains into the Columbia Plateau. Spokane is 280 miles east of Seattle and 375 miles northeast of Portland. It is the commercial center of the eastern part of Washington and of the northern part of Idaho, and the distributing point for a large agricultural, lumbering, mining, horticultural, and stock raising region. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 199,100 (and rising), and the county had a population of 417,939.

Though dominated until recently by industrial companies and railroads, Spokane's largest employers are now hospitals and universities, along with a growing number of technology firms.

The area to the east of Spokane was incorporated as Spokane Valley in 2003. On March 1st, 2005, the Spokane City Council unanimously agreed to annex 207 acres, raising the population from 197,400 to 199,100, making the city larger than Tacoma and second largest city in Washington State. In the past, the city has boasted about being The Largest City between Seattle and Minneapolis.

Spokane is served by Spokane International Airport. Fairchild Air Force Base is located just west of Spokane in Spokane County. Fort George Wright existed in Spokane from 1899–1957.

Contents

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Government

The City of Spokane has operated under a Mayor-Council form of government since January 2001, after 40 years under a Council-Manager form of government. [1]

Dennis P. Hession, the president of the city council, became the new mayor on December 16, 2005. He succeeded James E. West, who was recalled by voters on December 6, 2005 due to his involvement in a corruption scandal involving his offering internships to young men he met in homosexual chatrooms.

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History

  • Spokane Falls was a gathering place for indigenous people because the Spokane River was teeming with salmon. Dams on the Spokane River ended salmon fishing in 1908.
  • Camp Spokane was established at a location 56 Miles Northwest of Spokane, Washington as a consolidation of the garrisons at Fort Colville, and Camp Chelan on October 21, 1880. The intent was to protect the construction of the Northern Pacific Railway, and to secure the location for U.S. settlement.
  • By 1881, the Northern Pacific Railway was completed at this point bringing European settlement.
  • The city of Spokane was officially incorporated on November 29, 1881.
  • Camp Spokane was redesignated as Fort Spokane on January 12, 1882 when six companies of Infantry and Cavalry were located there.
  • Washington became a state in 1889.
  • Originally called "Spokane Falls", the city became "Spokane" in 1891.
  • In the summer of 1889 the city's downtown commercial district was destroyed by fire.
  • Fort Spokane was transferred to the U.S. Department of the Interior on August 26, 1899, which agency converted the fort into a school for local Native American tribes.
  • Between 1900 and 1910, the population grew from 36,848 to 104,402.
  • In 1914, the Fort Spokane Native American School was converted to a hospital for Native Americans.
  • The railroad town of Hillyard was annexed in 1924.
  • Fort Spokane was abandoned in 1929.
  • The downtown area next to the river was renovated from a railroad yard to a one hundred acre park in 1974 in preparation for the World's Fair.
  • Downtown was originally the "Old West" which included Saloons and "Houses of Ill Repuet".
  • "1000 Stairs" the noted, haunted cemetery stairs hidden in Greenwood cemetery. Known as Spokane's "Most haunted" place.
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1974 World's Fair

Image:Expo74.231380 5252.jpgTemplate:Main Spokane hosted the environmentally themed Expo '74, becoming the smallest city up to that point ever to host a World's Fair.

Many of the structures built for the World's Fair are still standing. The United States Pavilion now houses an IMAX theater; the Washington State Pavilion became the downtown Opera House. The Expo site itself became the 100 acre (400,000 m²) Riverfront Park, containing the U.S. Pavilion, the Pavilion of the USSR, and a clock tower (part of a Great Northern rail depot that was demolished for Expo '74), which are prominently featured in the park's logo.

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Geography and Climate

Spokane sits at the east edge of the Columbia Plateau's wheat farms and steppe, where they meet the forested Rocky Mountain foothills. The Spokane River, a tributary of the Columbia River, passes through the city of Spokane, tumbling through a series of dramatic falls in the center of the city, near the river's confluence with the Little Spokane River.

Spokane has a continental, semi-arid climate, with moderately cold winters and warm summers. The Cascade mountains to the west shield it from the direct modifying effect of Pacific Ocean air, and the Rocky Mountains to the east help to protect Spokane from the worst effects of arctic air in winter. Precipitation is concentrated in the cooler half of the year, with the summer typically enjoying dry and stable weather.

Spokane Falls were long a site of native villages due to superb fishing during salmon and steelhead runs. This led to early white trading posts in the area, followed by military garrisons and then settlers. Discovery of extensive silver, lead and zinc deposits nearby in the 1890s, along with the arrival of a major transcontinental railroad line, turned Spokane into a boomtown in the first decade of the 20th century, when mine owners and railroad executives built numerous mansions and ornate buildings throughout the city.

Spokane is located at 47°40'24" North, 117°24'37" West (47.673341, -117.410271)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 151.6 km² (58.5 mi²). 149.6 km² (57.8 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.30% water.

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Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 199,630 people, 81,512 households, and 47,276 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,307.7/km² (3,387.0/mi²). There were 87,941 housing units at an average density of 587.8/km² (1,522.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.46% White, 2.07% African American, 1.76% Native American, 2.25% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 3.38% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race, but Spokanes number of minorities have been going up since 2000

There were 81,512 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.0% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,273, and the median income for a family was $41,316. Males had a median income of $31,676 versus $24,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,451. 15.9% of the population and 11.1% of families were below the poverty line. 19.3% of those over the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

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Neighborhoods

Many areas in and around Spokane are commonly referred to by name of:


Sunset Hill Located just west of Downtown, near the Spokane International Airport, on a hill, Sunset Hill has older aread with cute little houses, and new areas with sub-divisions. Sunset Hill is split in half by I-90 and Sunset Blvd. The Finch Arboreatum is on Sunset Hill.

Hillyard- A city chartered independently of Spokane, it was later incorporated into the Spokane city limits. "Downtown Hillyard," Market Street, is a National Historic District. Hillyard was named in honor of Great Northern Railroad magnate, James J. Hill.

West Central- This includes Washington State's largest National Historic District; Nettleton's Addtion.

Shadle- A residential neighborhood in the Northwestside. Reflects post WWII residential building boom and style.

Garland- A mid-century suburban neighborhood directly north of Downtown. Considered a walking neighborhood with many places to shop.

Five mile- An agricultural plateau at Spokane's northern city limit that's experienced increasing development in recent years.

South Hill- A catch-all phrase for various neighborhoods south of downtown; from historic to contemporary. Manito Park is located here, which includes the Japanese Gardens, Rose Gardens and Duncan Gardens.

Brownes Addition- A National Historic District due west of Downtown. Notable for its array of Queen Anne and early Craftsman architecture, Coeur d'Alene park and the MAC (Museum of Arts and Culture).

Airway Heights- An independent city adjacent to Spokane encompassing the area around the Fairchild Air Force base that centers on highway 2. Home to Spokane Raceway Park and Northern Qwest Casino owned by the Kalispell tribe.

Spokane Valley- Spokane Valley is an incorporated city (2003) east of Spokane. The term "the valley" includes much of the unincorporated areas.

Downtown- Central business core with recently revitalized shopping and entertainment services. Notable for Riverfront park (site of the 1974 World Fair), Opera House & Convention Center, River Park Square and the Davenport Hotel.

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Education

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Colleges and universities

Historical

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High schools

Area Schools (all are located in Spokane unless noted otherwise)

  • Lewis and Clark High School
  • Joel E. Ferris High School
  • Shadle Park High School
  • Gonzaga Preparatory High School
  • Mead High School
  • St. George's School
  • Freeman High School (Near Rockford)
  • Mt. Spokane High School (Mead)
  • Havermale High School
  • Central Valley High School (Veradale, serving Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake)
  • North Central High School
  • John R. Rogers High School
  • Valley Christian School (Spokane Valley)
  • West Valley High School (Spokane Valley)
  • East Valley High School (Spokane Valley)
  • University High School (Spokane Valley)
  • Barker High School (Spokane Valley)
  • Northwest Christian School (Colbert)
  • Cheney High School (Cheney)
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Parks and recreation

In 1907, Spokane's board of park commissioners retained the services of the Olmsted Brothers to draw up a plan for Spokane parks. [2] Today, Spokane has a system of over 75 parks totalling 3500 acres, with parks ranging in size from the quarter-acre Skeet-So-Mish Park playground to the 464-acre Palisades Park conservation area.

  • Created for Expo '74, Riverfront Park [3] is one hundred acres in downtown Spokane with views of Spokane Falls. A "Great Gorge Park," originally designed by the Olmsted Brothers is being proposed as an extension of Riverfront Park[4].
  • Manito Park and Botanical Gardens [5], on Spokane's South Hill, features a duck pond; the central conservatory named in memory of Dr. David Gaiser; Duncan Garden, a classical European Renaissance style garden and the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden designed by Nagao Sakurai in 1967.
  • Riverside State Park is close to downtown and offers hiking, rafting and camping opportunities as well as scenic views.
  • Spokane's Centennial Trail offers visitors the chance to run, walk, bike or roller blade over thirty-seven miles of paved trails running along the Spokane River. Informational signs and parking are provided along the trail.
  • Highbridge Park and People's Park these two parks located in Peaceful Valley/ Hangman Valley are a big part of Spokane's Gay and Nudist culture.
  • In the summer, many Spokane residents visit Lake Coeur d'Alene, Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, or one of the other nearby bodies of water.
  • In the winter, Spokane residents have easy access to five ski resorts within a few hours of their city. A non-profit organization operates nearby Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.
  • The John A. Finch Arboretum (57 acres) is a public arboretum established in 1949.
  • Downriver Park, near Riverside St. Park and Downriver Golf Course, boasts a championship 21 hole Disc Golf Course adjoining the Spokane River, and another fine 18 hole Disc Golf Course resides in High Bridge Park, near Downtown. Maps and information are available at: Spokane Disc Golf Assoc.
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Sports teams

  • Spokane Indians [6] baseball club of the Northwest League. The Indians have won the Northwest League title 7 times (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2003, 2005). They are affiliated with the Texas Rangers and play their home games at Avista Stadium.
  • Spokane Chiefs [7] junior hockey (16-20 yr olds) team of the Western Hockey League. The Chiefs call the Spokane Arena (hockey capacity 10,420) home. The Chiefs have a long history of winning- with a Memorial Cup title in 1990-91, a Memorial Cup appearance in 1998, a WHL title in 1990-91, division titles in 1995, 2000, and Western Conference titles in 1991, 1995, and 2000. The Chiefs are also the only professional hockey team in the WHL to come back from a 0-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series (vs. Portland, 1995).
  • Spokane Shadow [8] Soccer club which plays their home games at Joe Albi Stadium. The Shadow cancelled their 2006 season, claiming that the 10-year old artificial turf was unsafe. As a result of the cancellation, the Premier Development League franchise was terminated on March 27, 2006.
  • Spokane Shock [9] Arena Football club of the AF2 league, sometimes refred to as the "AAA Minor Leagues of Arena Football League". The 2006 season is the first season for this expansion team that will play its home games in the Spokane Arena.
  • Gonzaga Bulldogs [10] Gonzaga University's athletic teams. Best known for its top 25 in the nation men's basketball team. Member of the West Coast Conference.
  • Spokane Sabercats [11] a Minor League/Amateur Football team competing in the Evergreen Football League [12].

Spokane will host the 2007 US Figure Skating Championships, and was a candidate city for the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, but lost its bid to Los Angeles.

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Events and activities in Spokane

Spokane is home to a number of annual events that draw people from a large surrounding area.

  • Hoopfest is the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world. It is held the last weekend in June, and boasts a variety of participants, from kids, teens, and adults to former college and NBA players, in their respective brackets.
  • The Lilac Bloomsday Run [13], a 7.46 mile race for walkers and competitive runners, is the largest timed race in the world, typically drawing between 50,000 and 70,000 participants [14]. It is held the first Sunday every May.
  • Tour des Lacs [15] is a well-supported two-day benefit bike ride in September, from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene and back, including short route options on the Centennial Trail. Route options from 80 to almost 200 miles; breakfast, dinner, and food stops. Usually draws about 1000 riders; helmets required.
  • Pig-Out In The Park is an annual summer eating festival. Local restaurants set up a number of booths all around Riverfront Park. Visitors can browse for food and listen to live local bands perform.
  • Spokane is also home to a National Historic Landmark hand-carved carousel, created in 1909 by Charles I. D. Looff as a wedding present for his daughter. The carousel still operates in Riverfront Park, downtown, where riders can participate in an old-time ring toss. The carousel continues to offer a free ride to the rider who grabs the brass ring.
  • The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture [16] houses a large collection of Native American artifacts as well as regional and national traveling art exhibits. Located in Browne's Addition, the Museum boasts a secluded setting just blocks from the heart of Downtown.
  • The Spokane Symphony performs a full season of concerts and the Spokane Jazz Orchestra is the oldest performing jazz orchestra in the United States.
  • Spokane Raceway Park hosts motorsports events such as the annual AHRA World Finals drag race.
  • The Lilac City Open Disc Golf Tournament, organized by the SDGA is the premier Disc Golf Event in the Inland Northwest. This year it falls on Memorial Day Weekend, at the end of May, and features not only both of Spokane's public disc golf courses, Downriver and High Bridge Disc Golf Courses, but also includes two courses at the private Four Mound Disc Golf Reserve.
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Notable Spokanites

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Musicians

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Artists

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Actors

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Sports

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Other

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Spokane in film

Spokane has been featured in several theatrical films.

  • One of the more recent is a film called End Game, which was mostly shot in the Spokane area, although the film takes place back east.
  • Benny & Joon, starring Johnny Depp, was filmed in the Historical Garland District, othewise known as The Garland Village.
  • The film Home of the Brave, starring Samuel L. Jackson and 50 Cent, was recently being shot in Spokane in April 2006; however, due to a production union strike, the filming of the movie has been moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. The issues with surrounding the strike have been fixed and the movie is once again being shot in Spokane.

See: Category: Spokane films

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Common Spokane nicknames

Traditional

  • Inland Empire
  • Inland Northwest
  • Lilac City
  • Spokaloo (circa early 1970s)
  • Spo-KAYNE (common mispronunciation)


Pejorative

  • Spookaloo
  • Spokeburg or Spokeberg
  • Hokey-Spokey
  • Spokiedokie
  • Spokainawa
  • Spovegas or Spokavegas
  • Spokompton or Spocompton
  • The 'Kan
  • Little Africa
  • Spokelahoma
  • Spokanistan'
  • Spokanegeles
  • Spokanefrancisco
  • Spokanediego
  • Spocago
  • Spoke-Town
  • Kane-Town
  • Spo-Canada


Used as commercial or political slogans

  • Spo-CAN!
  • "Near nature. Near perfect."
  • "You'll love it here!" (used during the late 1980s)
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Television, Radio, and Print Media

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Print Media

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Television

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Radio

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AM

  • 590 KQNT News/Talk
  • 630 KTRW Adult Standards
  • 700 KXLX 700 ESPN The Ticket
  • 790 KJRB Fox Sports 790 The Fan
  • 920 KXLY-AM News Radio 920
  • 970 KTRW Religious
  • 1050 KEYF-AM Adult Standards
  • 1230 KSBN Business News
  • 1280 KPTQ Progressive Talk
  • 1330 KMBI-AM Religious
  • 1510 KGA News Talk 1510
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FM

  • 88.7 KAGU Classical
  • 89.5 KEWU Jazz
  • 90.3 KWRS Variety
  • 91.1 KPBX [17] NPR news, Classical, Jazz
  • 91.9 KSFC Talk
  • 92.3 KYRS-LP Low Power Community Radio (also 95.3)
  • 92.9 KZZU Adult Top 40 (also known as 92.9 ZZU)
  • 93.7 KDRK Country (Cat Country 94)
  • 94.5 KHTQ [18] Active Rock
  • 95.3 KYRS-LP Low Power Community Radio (also 92.3)
  • 95.3 KPND Adult Album Alternative
  • 96.1 KIXZ Country
  • 96.9 KEZE Hip Hop Top 40 (Wired 96.9)
  • 98.1 KISC Adult Contemporary
  • 98.9 KKZX Classic Rock
  • 99.9 KXLY-FM Adult Contemporary
  • 101.1 KEYF Oldies
  • 101.9 KTSL Christian Contemporary
  • 103.1 KCDA Adult Top 40
  • 103.9 KBBD Variety Hits (also known as Bob FM)
  • 104.5 KQQB Rhythmic Top 40 ("Spokane's 104.5", even though its COL is Newport, Washington)
  • 104.9 KEEH Contemporary Christian
  • 105.7 KZBD Classic Rock (also known as The Buzzard)
  • 106.5 KSPO Religious
  • 107.1 KAZZ Smooth Jazz
  • 107.9 KMBI-FM Religious
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Spokane TV stations

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Spokane radio stations

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AM

  • 590 KQNT News/Talk
  • 630 KTRW Adult Standards
  • 700 KXLX 700 ESPN The Ticket
  • 790 KJRB Fox Sports 790 The Fan
  • 920 KXLY-AM News Radio 920 Spokane's News, Traffic, and Weather Station
  • 970 KTRW Religious
  • 1050 KEYF-AM Adult Standards
  • 1230 KSBN Business News
  • 1280 KPTQ Progressive Talk
  • 1330 KMBI-AM Religious
  • 1510 KGA News Talk 1510
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FM

  • 88.7 KAGU Classical
  • 89.5 KEWU Jazz
  • 90.3 KWRS Variety
  • 91.1 KPBX [19] NPR news, Classical, Jazz
  • 91.9 KSFC Talk
  • 92.3 KYRS-LP Low Power Community Radio (also 95.3)
  • 92.9 KZZU Adult Top 40 (also known as 92.9 ZZU)
  • 93.7 KDRK Country (Cat Country 94)
  • 94.5 KHTQ [20] Active Rock
  • 95.3 KYRS-LP Low Power Community Radio (also 92.3)
  • 95.3 KPND Adult Album Alternative
  • 96.1 KIXZ Country
  • 96.9 KEZE Hip Hop Top 40 (Wired 96.9)
  • 98.1 KISC Adult Contemporary
  • 98.9 KKZX Classic Rock
  • 99.9 KXLY-FM Adult Contemporary
  • 101.1 KEYF Oldies
  • 101.9 KTSL Christian Contemporary
  • 103.1 KCDA Adult Top 40
  • 103.9 KBBD Variety Hits (also known as Bob FM)
  • 104.5 KQQB Rhythmic Top 40 ("Spokane's 104.5", even though its COL is Newport, Washington)
  • 104.9 KEEH Contemporary Christian
  • 105.7 KZBD Classic Rock (also known as The Buzzard)
  • 106.5 KSPO Religious
  • 107.1 KAZZ Smooth Jazz
  • 107.9 KMBI-FM Religious
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Internet access

Spokane has free access to the Internet through a downtown Wi-Fi system. See: Spokane Hotzone

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Sister cities

In the cultural exchange program known as "Sister Cities" Spokane is twinned with:

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External Links

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Visitor Information

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Annual Events

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Maps

Template:Geolinks-US-cityscale

Image:Flag of Washington.svg

State of Washington
Cities | Towns | Municipalities | Governors | Legislature | Initiatives to the People | Initiatives to the Legislature | Congress | Symbols | Parks | Roads | Music

State capital:

Olympia

Regions:

Central Washington | Columbia River Plateau | Eastern Washington | Inland Empire | Kitsap Peninsula | Olympic Peninsula | Okanogan Country | Palouse | Puget Sound | San Juan Islands | Western Washington | Yakima Valley

Major cities:

Bellevue | Seattle | Spokane | Tacoma | Tri-Cities | Vancouver

Smaller cities:

Anacortes | Auburn | Bellingham | Bothell | Bremerton | Edmonds | Ellensburg | Everett | Federal Way | Issaquah | Kennewick | Kent | Kirkland | Lacey | Lakewood | Longview | Lynnwood | Maple Valley | Moses Lake | Mount Vernon | Pasco | Port Angeles | Port Townsend | Pullman | Puyallup | Redmond | Renton | Spokane Valley | Richland | Shoreline | Walla Walla | Wenatchee | Yakima

Counties:

Adams | Asotin | Benton | Chelan | Clallam | Clark | Columbia | Cowlitz | Douglas | Ferry | Franklin | Garfield | Grant | Grays Harbor | Island | Jefferson | King | Kitsap | Kittitas | Klickitat | Lewis | Lincoln | Mason | Okanogan | Pacific | Pend Oreille | Pierce | San Juan | Skagit | Skamania | Snohomish | Spokane | Stevens | Thurston | Wahkiakum | Walla Walla | Whatcom | Whitman | Yakima


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