“There’s nothing like the shelves of an actual physical library when you’re unsure of what it is you’re seeking. It was in the [Inland Northwest Special Collections] that I was steered toward a terrific resource, Jonathan David Knight’s 1991 Masters in History Thesis from Washington State University, The Spokane and Fresno Free-Speech Fights of the Industrial Workers of the World (1909-1911).” – Jess Walter, author of The Cold Millions.
EXPLORE LOCAL HISTORY
Inland Northwest Special Collections (formerly known as the Northwest Room) at Central Library is home to more than 18,000 items including reference books, maps, city directories, periodicals, government documents, and archival materials specific to the history of the Inland Northwest. The collection also includes nearly 3,000 rare books and objects, with a focus on the history of printing and the book.
Inland Northwest Special Collections Drop-In Hours*:
Monday – Friday 10am-4pm
*These hours may vary based on staff availability.
Want to ensure we’re open before making the trip? Give us a call at 509.444.5338.
While you can drop-in anytime during our open hours, if you want more in-depth help, please set up an appointment via email at insc@spokanelibrary.org or via phone at 509.444.5338.
Explore Spokane’s history through historic images of the homes, buildings, streets, Indigenous Peoples, and activities in and around the region. A physical photograph collection is also available with staff assistance.
Browse digitized versions of more than 200 hundred Spokane high school yearbooks from the years 1911-1977.
The map collection includes a variety of maps
covering aspects of exploration and development of the region. Some of the finest maps in the collection are those produced for railroad surveys, the Mullan Road, and the Pacific Wagon Roads.
Named after George Washington Fuller, Spokane’s City Librarian from 1911 to 1936, who founded the collection, the collection includes incunabula, kunieform tablets (pictured), bibles, geographies, dictionaries, herbals, natural histories, plus a wide variety of early Americana.
The most frequent question we get in the Inland Northwest Special Collection is from people who want to research their house or other property. Getting to know the history of your house can make you appreciate what has come before and can also be a lot of fun!
Not sure where to start? Watch introductory videos on researching your house history or using the Library’s digital photo collection and more.
ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION
Ancestry Library Edition contains collections with unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Note: This is only available on computers at a Library location.
DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE
Explore Spokane’s history through historic images of the homes, buildings, streets, Indigenous Peoples, and activities in and around the region. A physical photograph collection is also available with staff assistance.
FAMILYSEARCH
Access FamilySearch genealogical resources. You will not need your library card to login, but you will need to create your own personal FamilySearch account to access the database. Note: Only available on computers at any Library location.
Search full text and images of a wide variety of historic Washington and Idaho newspapers, along with newspapers in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming.
Discover searchable digital images of Spokane’s historic newspapers, from 1883 to 2009 and the Spokane Chronicle from 1890 to 1992.
Search a regional directory of obituaries dating back to the early 1900s. This will show you the publication and where to find it at Central Library.
Access digital death certificates for all those who died in Washington State from July 1, 1907 – December 31, 1995.
Browse digitized versions of more than 200 hundred Spokane high school yearbooks from the years 1911-1977.
The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Racial Covenants Project is a groundbreaking research initiative that emerged from a need to address historical racial injustices embedded in property
Visit the third floor of Central Library this month to view two incredible exhibits celebrating and honoring the history and legacy of Asian and Asian
A library card is your key to lifelong learning! Get your limited edition library card in celebration of Expo ’74’s 50th anniversary at any library
Spokane Public Library is a Community of Learning
