100 years ago in Spokane: As public celebrates end of World War I with 2 governors, flu germs spread

Spokane embarked on a three-day celebration to mark the war victory.

Washington Gov. Ernest Lister and Idaho Gov. Moses Alexander were in town and spoke at community church services.

Thousands of people thronged to the season’s biggest football game, between Spokane’s two high schools, North Central and Lewis and Clark.

Following the game, there was to be a dedication of a Victory monument in front of the Spokane Amateur Athletic Club at Monroe Street and Main Avenue.

Spokane residents were no longer restricted by the seven-week-long ban on public gatherings and were ready to join together in song and dance. Crowds were expected to gather for a “popular singing” event in the Davenport Hotel lobby following the dedication.

Later, a Victory Ball was to be held at the Davenport with three separate dance halls. A military parade was scheduled for the next day.

Everyone assumed that Spokane had weathered the worst of the Spanish flu epidemic. They were wrong.

From the university beat: Spokane University purchased 25 additional acres in the Spokane Valley, bringing the total holdings of the university to 185 acres. The school planned to build a grand new boulevard connecting the campus to the Apple Way road and sell housing lots along the boulevard.