Bamontes' Spokane Conclusion

Spokane’s neighborhoods grew from the early parks donated by wealthy businessmen.  The developers knew that beautifying the city would increase real estate value.  Aubrey White, soon to be recognized as the “Father of Spokane Parks,” served as president of the nonpolitical City Beautiful Club, a club formed to promote and establish the Spokane city park and playground system.  Three parks are discussed by the Bamontes.  Coeur d’ Alene Park was instigated by both Browne and Cannon.  This park was fashioned for affluent Spokanites who would be able to commute downtown without their horses since a streetcar ran from Browne’s Addition, created around the park, to Downtown Spokane.  Interestingly enough for our graveyard projects, Spokane’s first cemetery was erected in Browne’s Addition.  

However, just as real estate goes, the most desirable land always has a way of ending up on the market.  Those buried in this cemetery are said to be exhumed and reburied in Cannon’s Addition, only to be exhumed once again and finally buried in either Greenwood or Fairfield Cemeteries.  Now a large condominium development rests on the first Spokane burial grounds.  And what do you know, skeletons were discovered during the construction of the property.  Manito Park, as well as Corbin Park, would also prove to be “successful financial moves for all parties involved and marked the beginning of the real estate boom in that area (183).”  On a cynical note, I am absolutely not surprised the Bamontes left out what would become of the Manito Zoo as it was a grim end.  The fact that they leave out the killing of the animals makes me wonder what other dismal stories Spokane has hidden, in which the Bamontes sidestep for purposes of selling Spokane.  Read more on the closing of the zoo, here 

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Manito Park Zoo Bears, Photo Courtesy of Discovery School

Manito Park Zoo Wolves, Photo Courtesy of Discovery School

Naturally, I have an affinity for the architectural history of Spokane.  I particularly enjoyed the small section on the Historic Landmarks Survey, whereby the Spokane City Plan Commission ventured to identify structures and places of cultural importance for Spokane.  This was a smart move for Spokane, as the areas with historical significance raise market value for neighborhoods, and thus falls nicely into the Bamontes’ theme of real estate development.  I would have liked to of seen more “Now and Then” photographs, to emphasize the city’s growth.  In all, I enjoyed the architectural history chapters in Spokane & the Inland Empire much more because I feel there were no ulterior motives, just a straightforward history.   

I enjoyed reading the real estate ads, and am impressed that the developers were in tune with the future desirability of such additions as Rockwood and Manito.  They also weren’t too far off from the Browne’s Addition appeal, which is still somewhat true, but just as all of Spokane goes, differs from block to block.  I would have liked to of seen Liberty Lake in its “Summer Colony (282)” days, I feel as though it is just being developed beyond appeal and today is just an extension of the valley, and probably not what Robert MacKenzie had in mind as a resort town.    

The Bamontes do an excellent job in constructing a scholarly account of the history of Spokane.  Their use of primary sources and presentation of information can rival any academic work.  What the Bamontes fail to do, is include any history of Spokane that does not pertain to white Christians, with minimal stories of Spokane women.  It seems for the Bamontes that the Hispanic population, black population, the Jewish population, and other minorities, with a stress on the exclusion of Indians residing in Spokane, are the exception to “Under All is the Land.”  And when 2011 President of the Spokane Association of Realtors, Joe Mann, commissioned this book to be written, he had very explicit ideas on what early history of Spokane he wanted to be told.  I am led to believe that this book had only one purpose, to sell Spokane, not educate.     

Bamontes' Spokane

Tony and Suzanne Bamonte's Spokane, Our Early History: Under it all is the Land affirmed, “Spokane’s history is defined by the land under our feet and the people who discovered and nurtured it (vii).” This statement resonates profoundly with public historians who also dwell in the Lilac City.  Within the first half of Bamontes’ work, concepts are discussed that allowed Spokane to become the center of the Inland Empire. 

Chapter 1 opens up with the first photograph of Spokane and quickly jumps into the American settlement of the area.  Land acquisition and private land ownership, instigated by the easy access to the West, created by the Northern Pacific Railway, catapulted the Inland Northwest into a bustling region.

Chapter 2 continues the theme of Spokane’s founding through the means of the railroad business and the entrepreneurial spirit.  The new residents of Spokane greatly impacted the expansion of Spokane Falls, as evident in their namesakes, Cannon’s Addition and Browne’s Addition.  Also, many other businessmen would find their way to Spokane and help aid Spokane’s development, including the William C. Gray family, developing Spokane’s first quality hotel, the California House, Francis Cook, established the newspaper Spokan Times, and Louis M. Davenport, The Davenport Hotel and Restaurant.  The Bamontes also discuss the building up of infrastructure and basic utilities.  It’s too bad that the Bamontes skipped over the establishment of the Jewish synagogue in Spokane as it was the first synagogue established within the entire state of Washington, something I find particularly interesting.   

The original Temple Emanu-El, Washington's first synagogue, 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, Spokane, Est. 1892
Courtesy Spokesman-Review Archives

Chapter 3 depicts a Spokane devastatingly affected by a massive fire, but unwilling to give in to the devastation.  In addition to Kirkland Cutter, which we read extensively about in a complete chapter dedicated to him in our last book, we get to read about architect Chauncey Seaton and his contributions to the rebuilding of downtown Spokane.  Seaton is most known for the beautiful Review Building.  I found it extremely eerie to read the story of the Northern Pacific Railroad accident in 1890 as I was parked on Sprague and Division earlier today.  I also enjoyed the 1899 picture of the bicyclists preparing for a race as I am an avid bike rider.  It is awesome to see that bicycling has essentially always been a preoccupation with Spokanites as there were already 10,000 bicycles in Spokane in 1904. 

 

Chapter 4 is centered on the Spokane’s turn of the century ideal of “progress” and establishing the foundation of the Spokane Association of Realtors-I cannot decide if this is a legitimate linking of realty and history, or just a clever attempt to include realty in the broader scope of the Spokane narrative.  I found it interesting that homelessness and vagrancy were ramped in the early years of Spokane, so much so that even the hospitals frequently provided shelter for the needy.  This was such a prevalent occurrence that Spokane had three more hospitals built before 1900 and 1910.  Today it seems that religious organizations and handouts are what help sustain the needy in Spokane.  I enjoyed the section on the Paulsen and Hutton buildings, as well, and even enjoyed the history of the Paulsen and Hutton families.             

As practicing realtors, the Bamontes scope of work understands that it is the constructing, selling and purchasing of the built environment that vividly narrates the history of Spokane.  The Bamontes use an array of interesting primary sources, which fits succinctly with the training of public historians, and can be appreciated as such.  Their use of photographs and anecdotes contribute significantly to their historical lens, and exceedingly contribute to their cause of filling the void in Spokane history books.