Spokane in Spokane County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Look Up, Look Around!

The Spokane County Courthouse

— 1895-1995 —

Look Up, Look Around! Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

1. Look Up, Look Around! Marker

Inscription. The Spokane County Courthouse, designed by Willis A. Ritchie, is a magnificent example of the French Renaissance style of architecture. Note the intricate carving around the entry; the variety of construction materials; the many towers.

Another Spokane architectural treasure!

Erected by Eastern Washington State Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.

Location. 47° 39.88′ N, 117° 25.73′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. Marker is on West Broadway Avenue just west of North Madison Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted beside the walkway at the right side of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane WA 99260, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Post Street Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Monroe Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Canada Island Resolution (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Great Fire of 1889 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Post Street Substation (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spokane's Electric Streetcars (approx. 0.4 miles away); Spokane River (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First Bridges (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Regarding Look Up, Look Around!. Spokane County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, #74001980.

Also see . . .
1. Spokane County Courthouse. Many say that the courthouse closely resembles two 16th century chateaux in France, the Chateau de Chambord and Chateau d’Azay Le Rideau. French Renaissance design is obvious with its grand towers and beautiful craftsmanship in the iron and brickwork. The center tower is now lighted at night, and the entire building is considered a masterpiece. (Submitted on August 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Willis Ritchie (Wikipedia). Willis Alexander Ritchie was an architect whose career began in Ohio and Kansas, but reached maturity in Seattle and Spokane, Washington. He won numerous competitions for county courthouses and other public buildings in the early 1890s, was the first architect to achieve a statewide reputation in Washington. (Submitted on August 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Spokane County Courthouse (<i>main/south entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

2. Spokane County Courthouse (main/south entrance)

(marker visible on right)

Spokane County Courthouse (<i>entrance detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

3. Spokane County Courthouse (entrance detail)

Spokane County Courthouse (<i>southwest corner turret</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

4. Spokane County Courthouse (southwest corner turret)

Spokane County Courthouse (<i>tower</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

5. Spokane County Courthouse (tower)

Spokane County Courthouse (<i>turret and window detail</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

6. Spokane County Courthouse (turret and window detail)

Spokane County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 1, 2015

7. Spokane County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 5, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.