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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Photo blog

Hwy. 10 signposts

The Park Lane Motel on East Sprague.
The Park Lane Motel on East Sprague.

As I drive around Spokane, I see landmarks, both buildings and signs, that predate Interstate 90. When drivers crossed Washington in the 40s and 50s, they entered Spokane on Highway 10, which was the Sunset Highway on the west side of town and ran along Sprague and Appleway. There were motels, diners, drive-ins, service stations lining the route to provide services to those motorists brave enough to tackle hundreds or thousands of miles in cars that were primitive by today's standards. Shown here is the sign for the Park Lane Motel, which was built in the mid-1930s by Bert Nims, who called it Nims Motor Court. Imagine traveling long distances across the state in a Model T or early Model A and the relief you felt at finding a friendly and welcoming business along the highway.

What landmarks, signs or businesses still exist from those days, along Highway 10, when drivers from out of town needed them? 



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