Building History

The architect Chauncey B. Seaton arrived in Spokane, WA, just after it had suffered a disastrous fire that burned 32 city blocks on 08/04/1889. (Similar large fires in Seattle and Ellensburg in 1889 had also caused widespread destruction during a very dry period in the Pacific Northwest.) Seaton designed two large commissions while he lived briefly in the city. He had the commission for the stately Spokane Falls Review Building (renamed the "Spokesman-Review Building," in 1894), that was built between 03/1890 and 10/1891. (See Ian Reeves, Spokane Historical.org, "The Review Tower," accessed 01/30/2025.) He also completed the design for this wood-frame exposition building for the 10/1890 Northwestern Industrial Exposition in Spokane. Both buildings possessed a trademark Seaton touch, each being topped by a candle-snuffer-roofed cupola or tower.

Demolition

The Northwestern Exposition Building lasted fewer than three years, before burning on 09/11/1893.

PCAD id: 25628