Dodd House joins national register

There was quite a house full of people recently when the Sonora Smart Dodd House was added to the National Historic Register. And that was no doubt just the way Dodd – the founder of Father’s Day – would have liked it.

“Thank you all so much for coming this morning, and for being part of helping us with this process,” said Jerry Numbers, who owns the house together with his wife, Beverly.

Cake and punch were set out for the dozens of visitors and dignitaries in the beautiful living room.

Jerry Numbers asked everyone to move outside at one point, so the designation and presentations could take place on the front porch.

Mayor Mary Verner said she was delighted to be at such a beautifully restored home in a South Perry neighborhood she calls her own. The Dodd House is located on Arthur Street just south of Interstate 90.

“In the last year we have learned so much about Sonora Smart Dodd, the founder of Father’s Day,” said Verner. “This year’s centennial celebration was the focus of the entire city of Spokane.” Verner congratulated the owners with a job well done and thanked them for making the home part of the Spokane community.

Allyson Brooks, Washington state historic preservation officer, said she loves Spokane and always enjoys her visits here.

“Spokane is really ahead in acknowledging its historic places in comparison to so many other towns,” Brooks said.

Just before the dignitaries each got a screw so they could mount the new plaque on the house, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers added her voice to the congratulations.

“Today we get to recognize the original owners of the house, the Dodds, and Jerry and Beverly Numbers,” said McMorris Rodgers. “This is one of only three buildings in the state that are deemed nationally historically significant.”

The Rev. Happy Watkins then blessed the home and Verner, McMorris Rodgers and Brooks hung the plaque together.