Fort George Wright (Spokane, Washington)
Spokane · Washington · Indian Wars, World War I, World War II
History & Significance
Local residents purchased the former Twickenham Park and deeded it to the government, allowing Congress to authorize a $40,000 purchase of 1,022 acres in 1896. Construction ran from 1897 to 1899, with most buildings completed by 1906.
The fort became headquarters for Northwest troops, with Company M of the 24th Infantry Regiment—African American Buffalo Soldiers—arriving as the first garrison unit in 1899. During the 1909–1910 Spokane Free Speech Fight, the post detained arrested Industrial Workers of the World members.
Designed in an "A" shape with officers' quarters above and enlisted barracks below, the layout created a large parade field and took advantage of bluff topography above the Spokane River. Following World War I, the fort housed mounted infantry units until 1940, when it transitioned to an Army Air Corps convalescent facility.
In 1957 the base was abandoned, and educational institutions acquired the property. The historic district was registered in 1976.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Historic military architecture from Indian Wars era through WWII
- 250-acre West Hills district with preserved officer quarters and barracks
- Northwest Air District headquarters significance during World Wars
- National Register of Historic Places listing
- Portions integrated with Spokane Falls Community College campus
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_George_Wright
- https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/173
- https://www.historylink.org/file/9876
- https://properties.historicspokane.org/district/?DistrictID=22
- https://fortwiki.com/Fort_George_Wright