, 1888-10-18
A MODEL CITY.
what Delegate to tho Press Conventios
Saw In the City of Falling
Waters.
Seattle Post.Intelligencer.

II Seattle merits the title OF the Queen City
of Puget Sound, Spokane Falls may justly
lay claim TO the title of Queen City of
Eastern Washington. In all that gives
promise of future wealth and greatness, it
is incomparably ahead of the towns and
cities east of the Cascade mountains in our
territory. Its foundations are laid on
rock, as described in holy writ: when
the Hood arose, the storm beat vehemently
upon that house and could not shake it. for
it was founded upon q rock" So it is
with Spokane Falls. Its far-seeing found
ers have built and are building for all
time, and not for day or a few years, as
is apparent In the history of so many
towns. not a few of which on the Pacific
coast have already passed into oblivion.
1t is only some FIVE or six years ago that
a few enterprising men commenced the
building of a city at Spokane Falls, at
the same time adopting that as the name
by which the city should be known. AL.
ready has it out-run in the race for popu'
lation and wealth. towns and cities many
years older, and to-day bids fair to rival
even the Queen City of Puget Sound. The
population is not far from $1,000, while
on all sides are seen evidences Of wealth
aud refinement far exceeding other COM
munities of that number. Its growth is
phenomenal; indeed, it is questionable IL
its parallel can be found in America. In
few cities of $4,000 can be seen mere
palatial residences; more substantial,
costly or comm6dious business structures
larger or better hotels while the schools,
hospitals, churches, etc., will compare
favorably with those of cities much older
and more populous than Spokane Falls.
In some resuects 1t Is model city.
The streets are all 80 to 100 feet wide, with
no curves or abrupt termini, and extend
the entire length and breadth OF the city.
There is not single street in Seattle that
can be likened TO those of Spokane Falls.
The sidewalks all are noteworthy, being
IL feet wide and constructed with especial
reference to the future planting of shade
trees space four feet square being left
uncovered, in laying down the sidewalk
panking, for the insertion of the trees.
Several large blocks are now in course
of erection in Spokane Falls that would re-
fleet credit upon and be an ornament to
any city on the coast. In one of these
there is to be saloon, the finishing and
furnishing of which will cost upwards of
$4,000. This saloon will surpass In
grandeur any other or all others on the
coast. Other buildings nearing completion
are trimmed with granite, elaborately and
tastefully carved, which impart a highly
ornamental feature to these structures.
These, as well as those previously adverted
to (the schools, churches, business houses,
etc., are of brick, with stone foundations,
vaults and easements.
Prominent among the industries of the
city are one or two large -four mills and an
equipped sawmill. to which is added q
sash and door factory, all of which find
profitable market for their products in the
city and surrounding country. There are
other industries of minor Importance. all
of which give promise of future growth
and prosperity.
Not tie least interesting and significant
feature of the city is the street railroad
and its train of new cars, the property of
Mr.. Ross, one of the most enterprising
men of this fast growing city. In a week
or two the streets traversed by this road
will cover distance of five miles, and it
is the intent of the owner to charg
more than five cents FOR the entire dist
Adjacent to and within sight Of the city
is grand race-course a mile in circuit,
enclosed by high board fence, within
which is spacious building for agricult-
ural fairs. with stalls for live stock; an
other large building with space and seats
sufficient to accommodate 1000 or 2000
people. dwelling for the keeper, etc. 1t
is connected with the city by telephone,
and is supplied with water in pipes from
the same source as the city, Just outside
the race track is a grand boulevard, four
or five miles in length, q portion of which
is along the margin of the Spokane river.
To adequately describe the surroundings
of this beautiful cty--to speak fittingly Of
the lovely natural parks. the boiling.
foaming, rushing waters that furnish the
motive power for the industries men
toned. with other matters worthy of note,
would require more space than can now he
spared. 1t goes without saying that Spo-
kane Falls is the cleanest, the brightest.
the handsomest, the livliest aud most at
tractive. the most pnterprising. the most
hoe spitable city of Washington territory
save alone the Queen city of Puget Sound,