Fort Spokane History

Fort Spokane History. . Fort Spokane was the last Western frontier fort built in the Pacific Northwest. From 1880 to 1898 the fort helped to maintain order and enforce U.S. government reservation policies., In 1900 the fort became an Indian Boarding School. Native American children were forcibly brought here for an education in the ways of the dominant American society., Across the West, European American settlement led to clashes with Native Americans. Initially military forts were built to protect settlers during these clashes. Later forts such as Fort Spokane helped protect newly established Indian reservations from illegal settlement., The 1890s were a period of rapid change along the upper Columbia River. European Americans were moving into the area; populations in Stevens and Ferry counties grew from 4,000 in 1890 to 15,000 by 1900. On the Spokane and Colville reservations, there were over 1,000 Native Americans. Here at Fort Spokane, 300 soldiers maintained an uneasy peace. The fort closed in 1898., Beginning in 1900 children from nearby reservations were forced to leave their homes to attend Fort Spokane and other Indian Boarding Schools. After seven years, under pressure from the tribes and some leaders in the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the school closed. Day schools were opened on the reservations so that children could stay at home and receive a classroom education.