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

The Great Fire of 1889

Water Pumping Plant

Photographed By Pat Filippone, August 3, 2015

1. The Great Fire of 1889 Marker

Inscription. About 6 P.M. Sunday, Aug. 4, 1889 a fire started in a small restaurant six blocks south of here. It soon spread into an uncontrollable inferno which destroyed three-fourths of the business district. Miraculously only two lives were lost. Insufficient water for fire fighting was part of the problem and officials were criticized.

Emotions cooled with the embers, however and it now seems that no actual negligence was involved.

The masonry foundation of the water-pumping plant that served the city then may still be seen on the rocky island directly in front of you.

Erected by Eastern Washington State Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is August 4, 1889.

Location. 47° 39.753′ N, 117° 25.343′ W. Marker is in Spokane, Washington, in Spokane County. The marker is located on a trail along the Spokane River, in Riverfront Park, just north of the parking lot that is accessed from N. Post Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 507 North Howard Street, Spokane WA 99201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Canada Island Resolution (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Spokane County Conservation Futures Program (about 300 feet away); Havermale Island — Pioneer Stronghold

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(about 600 feet away); Post Street Bridge (about 600 feet away); Post Street Substation (about 700 feet away); Spokane's Electric Streetcars (about 700 feet away); Early Spokane (about 800 feet away); City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spokane.

Photographed By Pat Filippone, August 3, 2015

2. The Great Fire of 1889 Marker

Remnants of the Great Fire image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Pat Filippone, August 3, 2015

3. Remnants of the Great Fire

<i>Middle Falls of the Spokane River, Spokane, Wa.</i> image. Click for full size.

circa 1910

4. Middle Falls of the Spokane River, Spokane, Wa.

The water pumping plant that is the subject of this marker is visible here, directly in the middle of the image - the structure with four windows.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. This page has been viewed 1,259 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2015, by Pat Filippone of Stockton, California. 4. submitted on September 21, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.