Historic Buildings of Spokane

More than 50 percent of downtown Spokane’s buildings have historic significance. In addition to the iconic Davenport Hotel and Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, here are five not to miss:
  • Steam Plant Square
    The plant’s giant columnar pipes once lit downtown with steam energy; now they energize the city with retail and dining. Walk the catwalks above the Steam Plant Grill, built in the original 1930s boiler room. 
  • Arbor Crest Wine Cellars
    Sample syrah from atop a basalt cliff 450 feet in the air. The estate’s 1924 Florentine-style mansion and gardens overlook the Spokane Valley, and host a summer concert series. 
  • Garland Theater
    For midcentury modernity, stop by the 1945 Garland Theater, a cornerstone of Spokane's Garland District. Prices haven't changed much, either--watch flicks for $3.50.
  • Looff Carrousel
    This hand-carved indoor carousel started operating in 1909. Set in the city’s green heart (Riverfront Park), it offers a menagerie of figures, including a tiger, a dragon, and a giraffe. 
  • Flour Mill
    This 1895 building, which sits on the Spokane River, turned wheat into flour until 1960. It now churns out riverfront dining, artisanal chocolates, and a host of retail, including a gourmet kitchen shop. www.flourmillspokane.com

—Lora Shinn

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