The first humans to live in the Spokane area were hunter-gatherers that lived off plentiful fish and game; early human remains have been dated to 8,000 to 13,000 years ago. The Spokane tribe, after which the city is named (the name meaning "children of the sun" or "sun people" in Salishan), are believed to be either their direct descendants or descendants of people from the Great Plains. When asked by early white explorers, the Spokanes said their ancestors came from "up North." Early in the 19th century, the Northwest Fur Company sent two white fur trappers west of the Rocky Mountains to search for fur. These were the first white men met by the Spokanes, who believed they were sacred and set the trappers up in the Colville River valley for the winter.

According to the American Community Survey, the median income for a household in Spokane in 2012 was $42,274, and the median income for a family was $50,268. Males had a median income of $42,693 and females had a median income of $34,795. The per capita income for the city was $24,034. About 13.3% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.8% of those aged 65 and older.[4]

At the 2010 census, there were 208,916 people, 87,271 households, and 49,204 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,526.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,361.4/km2). There were 94,291 housing units at an average density of 1,591.4 per square mile (614.4/km2). The racial make-up of the city was 86.7% White, 5.0% Hispanics and Latinos, 2.6% Asian, 2.3% African American, 2.0% Native American, 0.6% Pacific Islander, and 1.3% from other races.[4]

There were 87,271 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. In 2010, 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.97.[4]

The median age in the city was 35 years. In Spokane, 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 12.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24, 27.6% were from 25 to 44, 25.1% were from 45 to 64, and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender make-up of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.[4]

Arts and theater

Spokane's main art districts are located in the Davenport Arts District, the Garland Business District, and East Sprague.[217] The First Friday Artwalk, which occurs the first Friday of every month, is dedicated to local vendors and performers displaying art around downtown.[218] The two most important Artwalk dates (the first Friday of February and October) attract large crowds to the art districts. The Davenport Arts District has the largest concentration of art galleries and is home to many of Spokane's main performing arts venues, including the Knitting Factory, Fox Theater, and Bing Crosby Theater. The Knitting Factory is a concert house that serves as a setting for many mainstream touring musicians and acts. The Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, restored to its original 1931 Art Deco state after years of being derelict,[85] is home to the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. The Metropolitan Performing Arts Center was restored in 1988 and renamed the Bing Crosby Theater in 2006 to honor the former Spokanite.[219] Touring stand-up comedians are hosted by the Spokane Comedy Club.[220] Theater is provided by Spokane's only resident professional company, The Modern Theater,[221] though there are also the Spokane Civic Theatre and several other amateur community theaters and smaller groups. The First Interstate Center for the Arts often hosts large traveling exhibitions, shows, and tours. Spokane was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League in 1974, 2004, and 2015.[222]

Spokane offers an array of musical performances catering to a variety of interests. Spokane's local music scene, however, is considered somewhat lacking by the Spokane All-Ages Music Initiative and other critics, who have identified a need for a legitimate all-ages venue for music performances.[223] The Spokane Symphony presents a full season of classical music, and the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, a full season of jazz music.[224] The Spokane Jazz Orchestra, formed in 1962, is a 70-piece orchestra and non-profit organization.[225]

Museums

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Brownes' Addition

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

There are several museums in the city, most notably the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, located a few blocks from the center of downtown in Browne's Addition, amid the mansions of Spokane's late 19th-century "Age of Elegance". A Smithsonian affiliate museum, it houses a large collection of Native American artifacts as well as regional and national traveling art exhibits.[226][227]

The Mobius Science Center and the related Mobius Kid's Museum in downtown Spokane seek to generate interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among the youth in a hands-on experience.[228] The Jundt Art Museum at Gonzaga University features 2,800 square feet (260 m2) of exhibition space and contains sizable collections of prints from the Bolker, Baruch, Jacobs, and Corita Kent collections.[229][230] The museum houses glass art by Dale Chihuly, bronze sculptures by Auguste Rodin, tapestries, paintings, ceramics, photographs, and a wide range of gifts, including from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation and Collections.[229] On the campus of Gonzaga University, the Crosby House, Bing Crosby's childhood home, houses the Bing Crosby Memorabilia Room, the world's largest Crosby collection with around 200 pieces.[231] A museum of flight showcasing historic airplanes and curated by the Historic Flight Foundation is located at Felts Field.[232]

Events and activities

Spokane is known as the birthplace of the national movement started by Sonora Smart Dodd that led to the proposal and the eventual establishment of Father's Day as a national holiday in the U.S.[233] The first observation of Father's Day in Spokane was on June 19, 1910.[234] Sonora conceived the idea in Spokane's Central Methodist Episcopal Church, while listening to a Mother's Day sermon.[235]

Runners participating in Spokane's annual Lilac Bloomsday Run

Lilac Bloomsday Run

The Lilac Bloomsday Run, held in the spring on the first Sunday of May, is a 7.46-mile (12.01 km) race for competitive runners as well as walkers that attracts international competition.[236] Also in May is the Lilac Festival which honors the military, celebrates youth, and showcases the region.[237] Spokane's unofficial nickname, the "Lilac City", refers to a flowering shrub that has flourished since its introduction to the area in the early 20th century.[238] In June the city hosts Spokane Hoopfest, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, among the largest of its kind.[239] One of Spokane's most popular local events is Pig Out in the Park, an annual six-day food and entertainment festival where attendees may eat a variety of foods and listen to free live music concerts featuring local, regional, and national recording artists in Riverfront Park.[240]

The Spokane International Film Festival, held every February, is a small, juried festival that features documentaries and shorts from around the world.[241] The Spokane Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, held every November, features contemporary, independent films of interest to the GLBT community.[242]

Other notable events in the Spokane region include the Spokane County Interstate Fair, Japan Week, Spokane Pride Parade and the Lilac City Comicon. The Spokane County Interstate Fair is held annually in September at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Spokane Valley.[243] Japan Week is held in April and celebrates the sister-city relationship with Nishinomiya, Hyogo, demonstrating the many commonalities shared between the two cities.[244] Students from the Spokane campus of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, Gonzaga, Whitworth, and other area schools organize an array of Japanese cultural events. The gay and lesbian Spokane Pride Parade is held each June.[245] There is an annual Renaissance fair and Civil War reenactment as well.[246][247]

• Sophia Anne Caruso, Broadway actress best known for playing Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice: The Musical

• Jordan Fry, actor most known for his role as Mike Teevee in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

• Russell Hodgkinson, actor

• Jim Ignatowski, The Reverend Jim "Iggy" Ignatowski, played by Christopher Lloyd, is a fictional character in the 1970s television series Taxi.

• Cheyenne Jackson, singer and actor, known for United 93

• Paul Johansson, actor, appeared in One Tree Hill

• Eric Johnston, former head of the United States Chamber of Commerce, former president of the Motion Picture Association of America

• Chuck Jones, director of animated films, three-time Academy Award winner

• Neil LaBute, film director/playwright

• David Lynch, film director, known for Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks

• Darren McGavin, actor, known for starring in Kolchak: the Night Stalker and A Christmas Story

• John McIntire, actor on Wagon Train and The Virginian

• Michele Morrow, actress, appeared in Basement Jack, The Young and the Restless, and Alias

• Craig T. Nelson, actor, star of television series Coach and Parenthood, as well as the films The Incredibles and Poltergeist

• Seena Owen, silent-film actress

• Gale Page, actress, starred in Knute Rockne, All American with Ronald Reagan

• Patrick Page, Tony-nominated actor best known as Hades in Hadestown

• Susan Peters, actress

• Matt Piedmont, film director and writer

• Trevor St. John, actor; known for his role on One Life to Live (graduated from Whitworth University)

• Wayne Spitzer, low-budget horror filmmaker

• Hilary Swank, two-time Oscar-winning actress (father was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base)

• Sydney Sweeney, actress best known for playing Cassie Howard in Euphoria

• Tongolele, film and television actor

• Sarah Truax, stage and film actress, Spokane resident from 1912 to 1927

• Michael Winslow, actor and comedian, known for Police Academy

• Deanna Oliver, actress and writer, known for her role in The Brave Little Toaster and work with Animaniacs and Casper movie

SHOP, DINE & MORE. IT’S ALL AT RIVER PARK SQUARE!

River Park Square

After seeing Spokane Falls, and relaxing at Riverfront Park, come visit River Park Square, downtown Spokane’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Explore the curated collection of local and national stores indoors or outside. Then grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants or catch a movie at the IMAX theatre!

The Spokane River runs right through the heart of our city, but this waterway is just the beginning of freshwater recreation options. From Spokane, you can head in any direction, including downtown, to take a dip, grab a paddle, or hit the wake. With 76 lakes, countless rivers, very little humidity, and late sunsets, summertime transforms the Spokane area into a freshwater playground. Learn More About Lakes and Rivers in Spokane

You don't have to spend a lot of money to create lasting memories. Take a look at the ways you can enjoy Spokane for free. From river strolls and botanical gardens to fine art displays and live music, the savvy traveler can have a blast in Spokane without spending a dime.