Browse Exhibits (6 total)

The Indian Falls

This is the first stop on your tour of Spokane Falls and the Riverfront Park area.  Please take a moment to look at the legends and accounts of life of the first people along the Spokane River.

The Settler Falls

The wealth of fish and water drew the original inhabitants of the region over the millenia. But starting in the 19th century, different people came to the falls.

During Expo '74, the seven bronze plaques in front of you were dedicated to these "Christian Pioneers." 

But the name is not entirely accurate. 

Some were interested in sharing Christianity.  Some came for reasons other than Christians zeal. 

Some wanted to make homes here.  Some didn't come to stay.  Others didn't have to come because they were already here.

The plaques tell part of the stories but there are also untold stories.

The Industrial Falls

On the heels of the settler era, the falls increasingly became a source of industry and power rather than a thing of natural beauty.  It disappeared beneath girders and sawmills as people used its energy to grow wealthy.

Expo '74

By 1974, the encrustations around the falls began to be peeled away for a world's fair.  Spokane would become the smallest city to ever host a world's fair.

The goat next to, for all the jokes and controversies when it was unveiled, reflected the mixed motives which accompanied this era.

Riverfront Park Today

As the spray from the falls crashes around you, look to Havermale and Canada Island and reflect on how Riverfront came to be and where it might be going.

Test

This is a set of test exhibits