Inland Northwest Special Collections

“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.

SET UP A RESEARCH VISIT

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, phone 509.444.5338, or by booking one-on-one help with our Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.

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.

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS

Browse digitized versions of more than 200 hundred Spokane high school yearbooks from the years 1911-1977.

INLAND NORTHWEST MAPS

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.

Contact Inland Northwest Special Collections

FULLER COLLECTION

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.

Contact Inland Northwest Special Collections

HOUSE HISTORY

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!

WATCH A VIDEO TUTORIAL

Not sure where to start? Watch introductory videos on researching your house history or using the Library’s digital photo collection and more.

RESEARCH TOOLS

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

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.

NEWSPAPERS.COM

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.

PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS

Discover searchable digital images of Spokane’s historic newspapers, from 1883 to 2009 and the Spokane Chronicle from 1890 to 1992.

OBITUARIES

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.

WASHINGTON STATE DEATH CERTIFICATES

Access digital death certificates for all those who died in Washington State from July 1, 1907 – December 31, 1995.

YEARBOOKS (SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOLS)

Browse digitized versions of more than 200 hundred Spokane high school yearbooks from the years 1911-1977.

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Get Started

Downloads & Streaming

Can't Find it?

Language

Locations

Kiosks

Other Access

Closures

Upcoming Events

Events by Age

Ongoing Events

Trending Now

Services

Genealogy & Local History

Language

Career & Economic Success

Creating & Making

Research & Learn

Homework Help

Online Courses

Partnerships

Kids & Teens

Homework Help

Teachers

Library Information

Partners

Library Organization

Support the Library

Connect with Us

Inland Northwest Special Collections

EXPLORE LOCAL HISTORY

SET UP A RESEARCH VISIT

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOKS

INLAND NORTHWEST MAPS

FULLER COLLECTION

HOUSE HISTORY

WATCH A VIDEO TUTORIAL

RESEARCH TOOLS

ANCESTRY LIBRARY EDITION

DIGITAL PHOTO ARCHIVE

FAMILYSEARCH

NEWSPAPERS.COM

PROQUEST HISTORICAL NEWSPAPERS

OBITUARIES

WASHINGTON STATE DEATH CERTIFICATES

YEARBOOKS (SPOKANE HIGH SCHOOLS)

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