Spokane City Hall/Montgomery Wards Bldg
Spokane Heritage Walk, Montgomery Wards, Spokane City Hall,sponsor
Montgomery Wards, originator of the mail order business, opened in this building in 1929. It is designed by J.C. Douche and E.J. Kratt, architects from their Chicago offices. It is one of several art deco style buildings in Spokane. (The term “art deco” came from the name of a 1925 art expo in Paris which popularized the futuristic, modern style that borrowed from Egyptian and Aztec visual arts.)
When the store opened it is rumored that 55,000 people shuffled through the seven stories, which were packed with clothing, housewares, furniture and sporting goods, in the first two days. The building even had its own railroad spur from the Union Pacific elevated line nearby.
The building was purchased and refurbished by the city of Spokane and became the new Spokane city hall in 1982.
Posted by Nadine S., Spokane’s Homegrown Tourist
Category: Y Yodio Experiences
Located in 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard, Spokane, WA
Tracks:
- Yodio Track 1