The Liberty Park Neighborhood (as East Central was originally known) was developed in the 1890s as one of Spokane’s earliest streetcar neighborhoods. In 1897, wealthy mining magnate F. Lewis Clark donated a substantial piece of property in the East Central area to the city.
The donation consisted of 21 acres of land to be used for a public park in the area. The donated land was bound by 3rd Avenue on the north, 5th Avenue on the south, Perry Street on the east, and Arthur Street on the west.
In November 2018, Spokane voters approved a $77 million Spokane Public Library bond measure to remodel 4 existing libraries and build 3 new libraries. The Liberty Park location will replace the East Side location, which was the smallest branch in the system. The new library will nearly double in size and the design will emphasize the westward views of the park.
To learn more about the unique history of Liberty Park and how the East Central neighborhood has changed over the last century, check out this video!
