This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Father’s Day Origin Traced to Spokane Pioneer Roots
A sister of Civil War veteran William Smart helped launch Father’s Day in Spokane in 1910 after asking a minister to organize a day honoring fathers. The Spokane YMCA supported the plan, making Spokane the first city to set aside a Father’s Day. The observance spread nationally with Wilson honoring it in 1916 and Coolidge urging a national observance in 1924.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wil
Williamliam Smart
Smart
William Smart
Washinton
John Bruce Dodd
Spokane
Spokane Ministerial Association
Spokane Young Men’s Christian Association
Woodrow Wilson
White House
Calvin Coolidge