Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s This day in history » On the Web: spokesman.com/topics/local-history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The 1910 census results for the small towns of Washington were released in 1911. Here are the numbers from some regional towns:

Almira, 368; Cheney, 1,207; Chewelah, 823; Colfax, 2,783.

Colville, 1,533; Cunningham, 153; Davenport, 1,229; Deer Park, 875; Garfield, 932; Harrington, 661.

Ione, 634; Kettle Falls, 377; Newport, 1,199; Oakesdale, 882.

Palouse, 1,549; Reardan, 527; Rosalia, 767; Ritzville, 1,859; Spangle, 299; Sprague, 1,110; Starbuck, 761.

Tekoa, 1,694; Washtucna, 300; Wilbur, 757.

Spokane, by comparison, was at 104,402.

And here’s something that might surprise you. A number of these cities have a lower population today (based on 2010 estimates) than they did 100 years ago: Almira, Ritzville, Washtucna, Oakesdale, Rosalia, Garfield, Spangle, Starbuck, Harrington, Tekoa, Palouse, Ione and Sprague.

At least all of those cities have survived. Some towns, such as Cunningham in Adams County, barely exist at all.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1979: Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seized power in Iran. … 1990: South African activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.