Did you know that you can search early Spokane newspapers online? The Washington State Library has made available the Spokan Times from 5/8/1879 - 4/29/1882, and the Spokane Falls Review from 5/19/1883 - 3/6/1886. You can search these as well as other early Washington papers on the Historical Newspapers in Washington website, http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/newspapers.aspx
~Northwest Librarian
May 17th will be the 150th Anniversary of the defeat of Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Steptoe (1816-1865) at the hands of Native Americans near Rosalia. You can read more about the battle in this essay from History Link. You may read the original article and do more in depth research on Steptoe in the Northwest Room.
~ Northwest Librarian
The Washington State Library has announced the availability of Washington Rural Heritage.
Washington Rural Heritage (WRH) is an online aggregation of special collections from small and rural communities throughout the state of Washington. It features items important to Washington’s history, culture, places, and people. Its purpose is to make unique historical treasures from local libraries, museums, archives, and other repositories in the state electronically accessible to Washington residents, students, researchers, and the general public.
Washington Rural Heritage contains photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, oral histories, and more. These materials document Washington’s rural history and culture. We hope that you find the items in Washington Rural Heritage as diverse and interesting as the people and places in Washington State.
Although currently the site only contains 3 databases (Ritzville, Thurston County, and Governors) there are more to come.
~ Northwest Librarian
Spokane has been a big player in the history of aviation. From the flight of the Sun God, and Mamer Aviation to the development of the C130 refueling fleet and growth of the Boeing Corporation, Spokane has been the sight of significant developments. As early as 1910 aviators were coming to Spokane to test their wings. Here’s an article from the History Link website on Charles Hamilton one of the earlier aviators.
~ Northwest Librarian
Did you know that the city of Spokane has an official flag? The flag, according to information found in the Northwest Room, is white with two diagonal stripes, one of chartreuse and the one of blue-green. Superimposed on it is the logo: a black ring with a golden sun in the upper right; black figures of children, and the words “Children of the Sun.” The words “City of Spokane” are on the lower right half of the flag. This “new” flag was designed in 1976 by Lloyd L. Carlson.
Here’s a picture of the 1976 from an article in the Spokesman Review.
You can find more information on the City of Spokane Flag as well as a photo of the 1958 version in the Northwest Room.
~ Northwest Librarian
The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture(MAC) in co-operation with the Spokane Public Library is conducting a workshop in finding the history of your home. The workshop will be held at the MAC on Saturday March 1, 2008. For more information contact the MAC at 509) 456-3931. Here’s a copy of the flyer: House History Workshop
Ever wonder about the history of your house? Who lived there? What did they do for a living? What architectural style is it? The research process can be a fun exploration of neighborhood, local and regional history. Check out the Researching the History of Your House page to get started.
With the caucuses and primaries right around the corner, elections are very much on the radar. This site provided by the Washington Secretary of State outlines the history of voting and elections in Washington. It also includes special sections on Women’s Suffrage, and Civil Rights. Check it out at: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/timeline/index.htm
~Northwest Librarian
Edward S. Curtis
Edward Curtis, a professional photographer from Seattle, worked for 24 years and traveled all over the West, including Alaska and British Columbia, to produce a 20 volume set of photos and ethnological text chronicling the North American Indian.
Working in Seattle, Curtis had favored photographing Native Americans. After receiving praise for his work photographing Indians, Curtis looked to travel the West to broaden his work with his favorite subjects. Using a letter written by one of his fans, President Theodore Roosevelt, Curtis solicited financial support from the wealthy. (more…)
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