washington pronunciation city state washington northwestern united_states seat located west foothills eastern washington miles south canadian border approximately miles washington idaho border miles east seattle interstate city wider region served international airport miles west downtown according population making second largest city washington largest city united_states humans live area people meaning children sun arrived years ago living plentiful game known birthplace father day officially nicknamed city explored area westward expansion establishment house trading post long term european settlement washington completion northern pacific railway brought settlers area year officially incorporated city added falls dropped late 19th century gold silver discovered inland northwest local economy depended mining timber agriculture 1980s hosted environmentally themed world fair expo older revival style buildings downtown area designed architect great fire city features parks affiliated culture fox theaters serves seat newly appointed bishop washington represents anglican community city center washington established private moved north sports collegiate basketball team competes division level professional semi professional sports teams include indians arena football junior ice hockey major daily newspaper daily circulation history humans live area arrived years ago hunter societies lived plentiful game tribe city named meaning children sun believed direct descendants descendants people great plains asked early white explorers said ancestors came north early 19th century sent white fur west rocky_mountains search fur white men met believed sacred set valley winter trading post explorer working head european explore called inland northwest crossing canadian border british_columbia thompson wanted expand south search establishing trading posts idaho montana thompson attempted expand west sent construct fur trading post washington trade local indians post established confluence rivers enduring european settlement significance washington state known simply operation operations run later hudson bay company post headquarters fur trade rocky cascade mountains years business absorbed major operations eventually shifted north fort reducing post significance reverend visited area reported native americans living medical mission established marcus cater indians oregon trail south killed indians reverend established city memory built church baptist episcopal churches started presbyterian church years establishment governor initial effort treaty chief far campaign war brought close actions col won decisive victories confederation tribes engagements battles lakes cessation hostilities opened inter mountain valley pacific_northwest safe settlers american settlement joint american british occupation effect treaty eventually led large influx american settlers american settlers cattle established claim built small claim near south bank falls passing region recognized value falls purpose water power realized investment potential bought claims acres downing scranton total knew received government charter build main line northern route amid delays construction uncertainty completion railroad exact course sold interest claim held claim successful business owner second mayor later came known father officially incorporated elected mayor city council seven mayor served pay fort established troops col miles northwest junction columbia protect construction secure place settlement june railway reached city bringing major european settlement area city added falls dropped officially incorporated city residents november marketing campaigns transportation companies affordable fertile land sell trade routes lured settlers region dubbed country discovery gold silver lead region northern idaho lured inland empire erupted numerous mining rushes mining emerged major onset initial gold rush nearby mining district popular offering low prices horse pan status subsequent rushes region trade center status accessibility railroad infrastructure growth continued august fire known great fire confused great fire happened nearby began destroyed city downtown commercial district technical problems pump station water pressure city fire started desperate bid fire firefighters began buildings dynamite eventually winds fire died blocks downtown core destroyed person killed despite experienced building boom downtown rebuilt city present according historian late 1890s great construction created modern urban profile office buildings banks department stores hotels commercial institutions stretched site railroad tracks rebuilding development city far smooth bridges destroyed floods completion 1890s city subject migration african americans looking work closure area mines african american churches founded years fire great northern railway arrived chosen site hill rail yards newly created township annexed important rail shipping transportation hub connecting mines agricultural areas region city population arrival additional railroads population hit eclipsed commercial center time city came known capital heart vast tributary region arrival chicago milwaukee railroads important rail centers western early 20th century expansion abruptly stopped 1910s followed period population decline large slowing economy control regional mines resources increasingly dominated national corporations local people organizations capital outside decreasing growth investment opportunities city time unrest prevalent area unemployed job sharks charged fee signing workers logging camps job sharks employment agencies known cheat workers paying bribes periodically fire entire work crews generating repetitive fees crime 1890s 1900s violent activity involving unions known free speech fights begun garner national attention grievances concerning practices employment agencies initiated free speech fight september purposely breaking city ordinance encouragement union members western states came publicity stunt incarcerated including feminist labor leader published account local mining declined turn 20th century agriculture logging primary influences economy population explosion building homes railroads mines northern idaho southern british_columbia fueled industry overshadowed importance vast areas coastal regions west rail freight rates stiff competition noted leader manufacture doors window mill products rail freight rates higher rates coastal cities seattle portland minneapolis merchants ship goods seattle shipping directly rail line ran way coast local morale affected years collapse early morning december killed people injured new bridge built eventually replaced census showed net increase individuals actually indicates thousands left city considering natural growth rate population growth 1920s 1930s remained slow drastically forcing city market city quiet comfortable place suitable raising family dynamic community opportunity heavily dependent natural resources goods produced mines forests farms experienced fall demand situation improved slightly start world war aluminum production commenced area cheap electricity produced regional dams increased demand second half 20th century decades slow growth businessmen formed early 1960s organization sought downtown recreation park showcasing preferred option successful negotiation relocate railroad facilities island hosted environmentally themed world fair expo smallest city time host world fair event transformed downtown removing century railroad infrastructure urban core expo acre growth witnessed late 1970s early 1980s interrupted recession silver timber farm prices dropped period decline city lasted 1990s marked loss steady family wage jobs manufacturing sector tough period economy started benefit measure economic growing companies research marketing assembly plants technology companies helped dependence natural resources 21st century trying transition service oriented economy face prominent manufacturing sector developing city strength medical health sciences fields seen success resulting expansion medical school branch city faces challenges high paying jobs pockets poverty areas high crime opening sparked downtown rebirth included building arena expansion major projects include building big easy concert house renovation historic cutter designed vacant years home yards development west downtown largest construction projects city history directly downtown blend residential retail space walking trails august city entered legal battle international agricultural giant alleging company pumped harmful products decades insist company responsible cleanup costs city announced spend hundreds millions dollars harmful products river coming years geography topography located eastern washington elevation feet sea level miles idaho miles south canadian border miles east seattle miles southwest calgary lowest elevation city northernmost point city limits feet highest elevation northeast near community closer beacon hill feet inland northwest region consisting eastern washington northern idaho northwestern montana northeastern oregon according city total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water lies columbia plateau eastern edge plain eventually rises sharply east rugged rocky mountain foothills transition area barren landscape coniferous forests east south lush rolling hills highest peak elevation feet located eastern prominent water feature area mile tributary originating lake northern idaho river flows west washington state line downtown meeting turns northwest joined way north area numerous large lakes lake lake formed ice end ice age south closest natural reserve closest national park national park approximately hour drive away climate dry summer continental climate classification rare climate elevation significant winter precipitation adjacent classified cool summer mediterranean climate average temperature month area typically hot arid climate summer months short spring fall seasons average july august equally warm month december july averages december averages daily temperature ranges large summer exceeding small winter range reason opposite weather existing extremely sunny summers extremely overcast winters record high low temperatures rare temperatures occur average days annually temperatures occur average day annually average days year location range west rocky_mountains east north protects weather patterns experienced parts pacific_northwest form barrier eastward flow moist relatively mild air pacific_ocean winter cool air summer result rain shadow effect area inches average annual precipitation half seattle inches precipitation occurs december summer time year shield winter season air masses traveling southward canada administration politics operates mayor council form government executive legislative branches elected mayor non partisan candidate taking office business day year previous mayor succeeded recalled voters reelected mayor incumbent granted second term city elected african american mayor retirement elected city woman mayor county seat position democrat elected governor washington federally washington 5th congressional district represented republican represented nationally senate democrat democrat general election favored president barack_obama percent state ballot county supported recreational marijuana ballot measure percent opposed sex marriage percent native democratic speaker house served representative washington 5th district years enjoying large support narrow defeat republican revolution time voters turned sitting speaker house today slight democratic tilt county surrounding metropolitan area conservative result governed strong republicans crime crime rate people metropolitan area higher washington state average violent crime rate property crime rate exceed statewide averages respectively crime rate higher violent property crime communities shows crimes reported city tend focused downtown city center half property crimes localized percent city individual chance victim motor vehicle theft arson fourth highest rate auto theft according drive drug use particularly crack cocaine use worse early 1990s drive recorded december 1990s special gang unit established officer collecting intelligence gang activity street officers 1990s saw prolific serial killer killed thirteen prostitutes red light district confessed washington transition community model successful crime rates introduction downtown expanded received national publicity scrutiny 2000s 2010s officer involved use excessive force high profile incidents death mentally challenged man initially suspected theft convenience store later found committed crime struck officers increased pressure prompted independent review commission organization use force policies internal culture purchase body cameras high crime rate related major dumping ground washington state prison system utilities provides municipal water management solid waste management operates washington waste energy plant solid waste transfer stations collaboration electricity generated waste energy plant operate facility excess energy sold draws water prairie square mile km2 sole source water supply washington counties idaho natural gas electricity provided local utility provide television internet telephone service hosts hydroelectric generation facilities upper falls dam monroe street dam owned operated generates electricity needed operate municipal water supply pressure pumps power generated excess sold monroe street dams owned operated respective generation capacities demographics according median income household median income family males median income females median income capita income city families population poverty line including age aged older census people households families residing city population density inhabitants square mile km2 housing units average density square mile km2 racial makeup city white african american native american asian pacific races races race population households children age living married couples living female husband present male wife present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size median age city years residents age ages years age older gender makeup city male female according metro area membership report evangelical protestant black protestant mainline protestant orthodox catholic jewish congregations congregation erected state washington september city mosque opened like washington pacific_northwest region region characterized low church membership rates religious participation city serves seat established washington criticized derided lack diversity offerings city diverse recent decades people countries soviet_union especially russians form comparatively large demographic result large influx immigrants families collapse soviet_union according census number people russian ukrainian ancestry reported residing city amounting percent county fastest growing demographics ethnic group estimated largest minority group county russian ukrainian community home sizable asian community japanese centered district called early days city western railway towns asian community started laborers working railroads asian community 1940s population decreased integrated dispersed losing asian character urban preparations leading expo led eventual demolition metropolitan area metropolitan area consists stevens counties census estimates metropolitan area population directly east metropolitan statistical area consists idaho anchored city urban areas largely follow path interstate area suffered urban past decades despite washington use urban growth boundaries city ranks low major northwest cities population density smart growth metropolitan statistical areas included single residents economy important rail shipping center location mining farming areas early 1880s gold silver discovered regional shipping center city furnished supplies miners passed way mineral rich districts mining districts considered productive north_america natural resources historically foundation economy mining logging agriculture industries providing region economic activity mining declined turn 20th century agriculture logging replaced mining primary influences economy working hundreds mills railroads rivers lakes northern washington idaho agriculture important sector local economy surrounding area especially south productive agricultural region supports early 20th century primarily commercial center industrial center wood food processing printing publishing primary metal electrical computer equipment transportation equipment leaders manufacturing sector gold mining company fortune company forest products company operates real estate investment trust headquartered city proper mining forestry remain important local regional economy economy include industries including high tech sectors service oriented economy face prominent manufacturing sector particularly medical center fortune technology company instance headquartered area holding company company listed fortune ranked list companies head offices area include technology company maker commuter cars employers public schools providence sacred heart medical center children hospital air wing largest military facility employer air wing stationed near leading industries employed population years older educational services health care social assistance percent retail trade percent arts entertainment recreation accommodation food services percent metropolitan center inland northwest parts southern british_columbia alberta serves commercial manufacturing transportation medical shopping entertainment hub gross metropolitan product billion economic development area primarily focuses promoting following industries manufacturing especially manufacturing health sciences professional services information science technology finance insurance clean technology digital media aid economic development eastern branch state supported business placed city despite new industries economy struggled recent decades ranked worst city jobs america ranking additionally forbes named capital america widespread business fraud trends fraud noted far continuing neighborhoods neighborhoods range victorian style addition contemporary neighborhoods neighborhoods gaining attention history illustrated city home recognized prominent neighborhoods riverside addition riverside neighborhood consists primarily downtown central business district neighborhoods south downtown generally known downtown contains city public facilities including park site expo arena river historic neighborhood city icon connects areas east downtown adjacent international district west downtown oldest neighborhoods addition national historic district west downtown addition prestigious address notable array old built early elite queen anne early american styles area houses culture northeast neighborhood began chosen site great northern railway yard placed outside limits avoid taxes downtown located market street neighborhood listed national_register_of_historic_places town houses built house railroad workers mainly immigrant laborers working local yard gave independent blue collar character home growing russian ukrainian southeast asian communities architecture commercial public buildings neighborhoods contain architectural styles distinct identity illustrate changes city history notable buildings landmarks riverside neighborhood downtown commercial district buildings rebuilt following great fire style examples include clock tower cathedral lady principal architect buildings period cutter self taught came began designing residences family working bank structures designed cutter include monroe street bridge featured city seal built renaissance spanish revival style cost million dollars complete included new technologies time opening september water elevators air cooling represented architectural styles downtown include art city hall center city ramp garage renaissance revival steam plant square theater chicago school liberty building tallest building city feet modernist note building seal riverside south perry residential early affluent neighborhood addition neighborhood residences contain largest variety residential architecture city residences lavish featuring architecture styles popular pacific_northwest late 19th century victorian styles high demand following firms design idaho building chicago world fair cutter found work constructing mining railroad patrick clark daniel older neighborhoods early 20th century logan lower feature large concentration style intact neighborhood percent buildings historic city expanded mainly north middle 20th century minimal traditional style commonplace 1930s 1950s tend northwest neighborhoods architectural style occupies neighborhoods integrity street grid pattern largely intact especially areas north downtown south houses backyard deliveries refuse collection contemporary suburbs architecture prevalent north south edges new neighborhood north downtown parks recreation board park commissioners retained services draw plan parks park land acquired city prior world war establishing early leader western cities development city wide park system system parks totaling acres km2 includes neighborhood aquatic centers notable parks system park created expo occupying site acres downtown site largest events park views falls holds number civic attractions including rebuilt lift carries visitors falls high river gorge park includes historic hand carved created features classical style garden japanese garden designed close downtown site outdoor activities hiking mountain area trails rail trails notable features miles paved trails running idaho border trail continues miles alternative transportation recreational use summer long popular visit lake country lake lake priest lake nearby bodies water beaches winter public access ski resorts couple hours city closest park trails cross country skiing dog culture arts theater main art districts located friday occurs friday month dedicated local vendors performers displaying art downtown important dates friday february october attract large crowds art districts largest concentration art galleries home main performing arts venues including concert house serves setting mainstream touring musicians acts martin theater fox restored original art state years derelict home restored renamed honor theater provided resident professional company amateur community theaters smaller groups host large traveling exhibitions shows tours awarded offers array musical performances catering variety interests local music scene considered somewhat lacking ages music initiative critics identified need legitimate ages venue music performances presents season classical music jazz orchestra season jazz music jazz orchestra formed piece orchestra non profit organization museums museums city notably culture located blocks center downtown addition amid late 19th century age affiliate museum houses large collection native american artifacts regional national traveling art exhibits related downtown seek generate interest science technology engineering math youth hands experience features square feet exhibition space contains sizable collections prints collections museum houses glass art bronze sculptures paintings photographs wide range gifts including iris collections campus childhood home houses memorabilia room world largest collection pieces events activities known birthplace national movement started led proposal eventual establishment father day national holiday observation father day june conceived idea listening mother day sermon run held summer sunday mile race competitive runners attracts international competition festival honors military celebrates youth showcases region nickname city refers flowering flourished introduction area early 20th century june city hosts basketball tournament largest kind popular local events pig park annual day food entertainment festival attendees eat variety foods listen free live music concerts featuring local regional national recording artists park notable events include comic con japan week held annually september japan week held april celebrates sister city relationship demonstrating shared cities students campus area schools organize array japanese cultural events gay lesbian held june education serving general educational needs local population public library districts city limits library district founded funding philanthropist system comprises downtown library overlooking falls branch libraries special collections focus history include reference books periodicals maps photographs archival materials government documents public schools district largest public school system second largest state serving roughly students high schools middle schools thirty elementary schools public school districts area include north outside city limits variety state approved independent charter schools private elementary secondary schools augment public school system manages schools home higher education institutions include private universities public community colleges system variety technical founded italian born priest founded affiliated students studying different undergraduate degree programs larger cities lack main campus state supported university city limits operations campus university district adjacent downtown campus health sciences campus houses school nursing main campus located miles southwest nearby located miles south addition health science presence year medical school branch affiliated program international branch campus located sports close dozens lakes rivers people use swimming boating fishing nearby mountains provide skiing hiking professional semi professional sports teams include indians indoor football junior ice hockey collegiate sports focus local teams compete ncaa pirates playing regional teams including class short season baseball team farm team texas_rangers indians play home games seat stadium won seven titles short season debut prior indians played triple level team achieved considerable success early 1970s winning championship having record 1920s 1930s baseball league teams reached peak indoor football franchise awarded city august league team quickly placed winning championships seasons league setting league records attendance shock crowned champions inaugural season defeating season owner shock decided team leave join order geographic rival decided retain rights shock franchise forced team beginning season major junior ice hockey team play play home games regional rivalry americans won prize memorial cup times club history veterans memorial arena city premier sports venue years arena opened played host major sporting events major event memorial cup championship game years later city hosted america figure skating competition figure skating championships arena event set attendance record selling nearly tickets later hosted figure skating championships ending eighteen days start winter olympics vancouver british_columbia transportation city streets streets use street grid oriented cardinal directions generally east west roads designated avenues north south roads referred streets major east west city include francis mission 29th avenues major north south include hamilton market north ray south streets divides city east west avenue splits city major retail corridor avenue serves purpose vehicles day average daily traffic interstate north junction busiest corridor average walk score indicating require car average transit score extensive system covers thirteen blocks downtown area largest united_states pedestrian travel cold weather retail space freeways highways primarily served interstate freeway highways interstate runs east west seattle suburban areas east onward idaho montana known connects region south intersects interstate west near creek enters west concurrently splitting continues northward canada route designation limited access completion project enters west runs concurrently reach north branches northeast continuing newport tasked improving local highways region growth try prevent congestion problems plague larger cities constructing completed corridor mile long limited access highway run vicinity interchange northward meeting existing south golf course mass transportation influx automobiles electric lines played dominant role moving people goods installed early pulled horses older streets visible rails embedded service reduced declining beginning august lines abandoned converted motor buses mass transportation area provided operates fleet buses service area covers roughly square miles km2 reaches percent county population large percentage bus routes originate central hub downtown rail bus service provided amtrak center city stop amtrak way chicago route seattle portland amtrak service seattle portland legacy old portland seattle railway major railway junction western terminus airports international airport serves primary commercial airport second largest airport state washington recognized small hub service air cargo carriers acre km2 airport located miles west downtown approximately minute drive away international airport letter designation result legacy days prior airport named army aviator major field general aviation airport serving area located east south bank aviation field dates strip served primary airport commercial air traffic field world war strip western receive official recognition airport named honor pilot healthcare area major hospitals service facilities healthcare industry large increasingly important industry city provides specialized care patients surrounding far north canadian border city healthcare needs served primarily non profit seattle based profit tennessee based run biggest hospitals sacred heart medical center respectively hospitals major health care facilities located south downtown known medical district opened originally beds january later moved present location west eighth avenue beds emergency room visits annually time staff doctors registered nurses medical center smaller main hospitals beds hospitals area include northwest town north specialty located washington state psychiatric hospitals located miles away media newspaper service provided major daily newspaper daily circulation sunday circulation formed merger spokesman published present june later absorbed competing afternoon paper significant newspaper historically existed merger specialized publications include weekly alternative newspaper weekly business journal student run bulletin monthly view northwest monthly newspaper parents kids newspaper city community magazines monthly paper covering neighborhood monthly home lifestyle magazine according largest radio market listeners aged radio stations broadcast city listened stations classic rock news talk country adult contemporary hot primary sources non commercial community radio include affiliate station power community radio station largest television market accounting total households city television stations representing major commercial networks public television television broadcast center eastern washington tri cities area northern idaho northwestern montana northeastern oregon parts southern canada cable television receives broadcasts weekday prime time beginning montana alberta canada receive broadcasts hour later local time major network television include cbs abc nbc television station air december fox pbs pbs operating idaho notable people sister cities current sister cities designated japan september sister city south_korea ireland
Spokane, Washington