Spokane Chamber of Commerce

Spokane's first Chamber of Commerce (1891-1893) went bankrupt with the financial panic of 1893. On August 30, 1897 concerned citizens began its reorganization and it was formally incorporated on July 14, 1898. the first corporate office was located on the first floor of City Hall where E.D. Olmsted served both as mayor and president of the Chamber. On August 18, 1930 ground was broken for the Spokane Civic Building which was funded by a special Chamber "Bond" issue amongst the Chamber's membership (see box 15). In January of 1998 the Chamber of Commerce moved to the West One Bank Building, 801 West Riverside Avenue, having sold the Civic Building to the Spokane Club. The Chamber operates through a number of standing committees among which are Agriculture, Finance, Government Affairs, Inland Empire Relations, Membership, Education, Transportation, and Executive (all established in 1898). In 1909, Armed Services and Health Care were added. In 1917, the Aviation Committee and the Retail Bureau were established, and it 1924, the Athletic Committee.

From the description of Records, 1885 - 1997. (Eastern Washington State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42687073

From 1894 until 1897 the Spokane Immigration Board served to promote the social and economic growth of Spokane and the Inland Empire. In 1897, Henry M. Richards, then president of the Washington Water Power Company, persuaded Spokane mayor E.D. Olmsted to organize and direct a chamber of commerce; the Chamber was formally incorporated in July of 1898 and has continued to function since that time. Various committees within the Chamber are responsible for certain aspects of community and business, such as agriculture; art; armed services; education; energy and environment; health care; small businesses; local, state, and fedearl liason work; transportation; and many others.

From the guide to the Spokane Chamber of Commerce Records, 1885-1997, (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture/Eastern Washington State Historical Society Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)