Spokane Real Estate Agents, Spokane Homes for Sale, Spokane Condos, King County, Washington, WA

Spokane Real Estate Overview

Spokane is the county seat of Spokane County in the State of Washington. It is also known as the seat of the Inland Empire. Situated at the foot of a valley, midway between the rise and mouth of the Spokane River, it is 280 miles east of Seattle and 375 miles northeast of Portland. It is the commercial center of the eastern part of Washington and of the northern part of Idaho, and the distributing point for a great agricultural, lumbering, horticultural, and stock raising region. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 195,629, and recent projections place the metroplitan population at around 560,000. On March 1st, 2005, the Spokane City Council unanimously agreed to annex 207 acres, raising the population from 197,400 to 199,100, once again becoming the second largest city in Washington State. Gonzaga University and Whitworth College are located in Spokane, as are major branches of Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. James E. West is the current mayor of Spokane.

History

The growth of the city dates from 1881, when the Northern Pacific Railway was completed at this point. Spokane was officially incorporated on November 29, 1881. Between 1900 and 1910, the population grew from 36,848 to 104,402. The railroad town of Hillyard, Washington was annexed in 1924. The 1974 World's Fair was held at Riverfront Park in Downtown Spokane.

Institutions of Higher Education

Gonzaga University
Whitworth College

1974 World's Fair

Spokane hosted the environmentally themed Expo '74, becoming the smallest city up to that point ever to host a World's Fair.

Many of the structures built for the World's Fair are still standing. The United States Pavilion now houses an IMAX theater; the Washington State Pavilion became the downtown Opera House. The Expo site itself became the 100 acre (400,000 m²) Riverfront Park, containing the U.S. Pavilion and a clock tower (part of a Great Northern rail depot that was demolished for Expo '74), which are prominently featured in the park's logo.

Parks and Recreation

Spokane offers several outdoor parks within minutes of most residents' homes.

Riverside State Park is close to downtown and offers hiking, rafting and camping opportunities as well as scenic views.

Spokane's Centennial Trail offers visitors the chance to run, walk, bike or roller blade over thirty-seven miles of paved trails running along the Spokane River. Informational signs and parking are provided along the trail.

Events and activities in Spokane

Spokane is home to a number of annual events that draw people from a large surrounding area.

Hoopfest is the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world. It is held the last weekend in June, and boasts a variety of participants, from kids, teens, and adults to former college and NBA players, in their respective brackets.

The Lilac Bloomsday Run is a 7.46 mile race for walkers and competitive runners. It is held the first Sunday every May.

Spokane is also home to a National Historic Landmark hand-carved carousel, created in 1909 by Charles Looff as a wedding present for his daughter. The carousel still operates in Riverfront Park, downtown, where riders can participate in an old-time ring toss. The carousel continues to offer a free ride to the rider who grabs the brass ring.

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture houses a large collection of Native American artifacts as well as regional and national traveling art exhibits. Located in Browne's Addition, the Museum boasts a secluded setting just blocks from the heart of Downtown.

The Spokane Symphony performs a full season of concerts and the Spokane Jazz Orchestra is the oldest performing jazz orchestra in the United States.

In the summer, many Spokane residents visit Lake Coeur d'Alene, Priest Lake, or one of the other nearby bodies of water. In the winter, Spokane residents have easy access to five ski resorts within a few hours of their city.

Common Spokane Nicknames

Spovegas 
Spokavegas 
Spokorn 
Spotucky 
Spokan't 
Spokaloo 
Spokompton 
Spokanistan 
Spoklahoma 
The Can 
Spo-KAYNE (everyone's favorite mispronunciation) 
Methlehem

Spokane Neighborhoods

Alcott, Balboa, Bella Vista, Bemiss, Brookside Village, Browne's Addition, Chester Creek, Chester Hills, Chief Garry Park, Cliff Cannon, Colbert, Comstock, Country Homes, Courtland Action Team, Deep Creek, Dishman, East Central, Emerson Garfield, Evergreen Point, Five Mile Prairie, Foothills, Forest Hills, Four Lakes, Garden City, Gleneden, Greater Pasadena Park, Green Bluff, Grengrae, Hangman Hills, Hillyard, Lake Spokane, Latah Valley, Leona Drive, Liberty Lake, Lincoln Heights, Linwood, Logan, Manito, Manitou, Marshall, Mead, Mica View, Millwood, Moran Prairie, Morningside, Nevada LIdgerwood, Newman Lake, North Hill, North Indian Trail, Northhatch, Northwest, Northwood, Opportunity, Orchard Park, Orchard Prairie, Otis Orchards, Peaceful Valley, Pine River Park, Ponderosa, Rimrock, Riverside, Rockwood, Seven Mile, Spokane Valley, Thorpe, Tower Mountain, Trentwood, Veradale, Waikiki Rutter Parkway, West Central Spokane, West Spokane, West Terrace, Westwood, Whitebluff Prairie, Whitman, Whitworth.

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Also: Spokane, Washington Official Website