My name is Bob
Jenkins and I am the
Spokane county coordinator.
We have
many genealogical resources available here.
We
would appreciate any contributions you would like to
make to this site.
Types of materials we are looking to
include on this website are:
family histories, biographies, photos,
obituaries, tombstone photos
& inscriptions, cemetery lists, etc.
If you have any the above items please
contact me by clicking on my name.
Spokane County, Washington
Spokane County lies in the heart of the Inland Northwest, a region long home to the Spokane Tribe, whose villages, fishing sites, and trade routes centered on the Spokane River. Euro‑American settlement began in the 1870s, drawn first by military presence at Fort Spokane and then by the promise of fertile farmland, open rangeland, and abundant timber.
The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1881 transformed the area almost overnight. Spokane Falls—later simply Spokane—grew into a major railroad, milling, and commercial hub serving eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana. A devastating downtown fire in 1889 destroyed much of the young city, but rapid rebuilding ushered in a new era of brick business blocks, streetcars, and expanding neighborhoods.
Agriculture shaped much of the county’s early population patterns. Wheat farms, orchards, and dairy operations spread across the surrounding prairies and foothills, while mining and logging camps in nearby counties funneled workers and families into Spokane for supplies, churches, and schools. Immigrant communities—German, Scandinavian, Irish, English, and later Eastern European and Asian families—added to the county’s cultural fabric.
Spokane County was officially established in 1858, dissolved, and then re‑established in 1879 with Spokane as its county seat. By the early 20th century it had become the region’s medical, educational, and commercial center, home to colleges, rail yards, and a thriving downtown. Today, its records reflect a rich mix of pioneer homesteads, railroad workers, merchants, farmers, and families who arrived from across the United States and abroad.
Spokane county record images at familysearch. These are not indexed but if you know the timeframe
that relates to your ancestor you can browse through the images. A Lot of good info here.
