Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 75 years ago

The Spokane parks board was considering an intriguing idea: An Indian golf tournament at Indian Canyon Golf Course.

“It was agreed that the tournament could be made a spectacular event that would attract more than statewide attention,” said The Spokesman-Review. “The Colville Indians are said to be big-shot golf players who have tossed balls over the reaches of the Columbia River. One chief at Nespelem is said to be the champion Indian golfer of the state.”

Someone pointed out that the golf course site used to be a tribal site.

From the WPA beat: Officials estimated that 8,000 Works Progress Administration workers were employed throughout Washington’s 10 eastern counties.

They were doing everything from sewer work to road work to parks work. The WPA was leveling a new playground at Division and Garland. They were also straightening and grading High Drive.

The most surprising WPA project? Tap-dance classes in Opportunity. Fifty tappers were signed up for the classes, taught by a local teacher and funded by the WPA.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1781: The seventh planet of the solar system, Uranus, was discovered by Sir William Herschel.