Then and Now: 915 and 919 W. First Ave.

Two buildings, both built in 1906, on First Ave. in Spokane have been important places of business to both farmers and urban residents.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Aug. 27, 2018

1964 - The modest three story building at 919 W. First Ave., center, was where Robert Carr founded his hardware business in 1929. The business was purchased by Don Barnett in 1946, transformed into an electrical supply business that still exists there today. In 1964, the date of this photo, Barnett purchased the building and later expanded into 915 W. First Ave., seen at left, in the 1980s. The 915 building started as a seed store and around 1929, became Ruth Sampson Sheet Music, later Sampson-ayers House of Music, a run of 50 years for the music store.
2018 - These two three-story buildings, both built around 1906, at 915 and 919 W. First Ave. in downtown Spokane are occupied by Carr Sales, an electrical supply company. But over the years they have housed a seed company, a hide and fur buyer, a sheet music company, among others.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review