Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

An uncommonly qualified voice – Kirtland Cutter – protested the design of a new railroad bridge near Monroe Street.

Cutter was a well-known architect in Spokane at the time, and he would later become nationally known.

Cutter was adamant about the detrimental effect that a new Oregon-Washington Railroad and Navigation Co. bridge would have on views of the Spokane River and Spokane Falls.

“A steel structure east of the Monroe Street Bridge would practically cover up the view of the falls from the bridge,” Cutter said. “In all probability, steel trusses, 30 feet in height, will be used. These will hang about eight feet below the level of the Monroe Street Bridge, thus cutting out a view of the falls from the city bridge. A person crossing the bridge and endeavoring to get a view of the falls will be confronted by a double network of steel, 30 feet high, directly in his line of vision.”

The railroad was also planning to build a new terminal not far from the bridge, which would further restrict access to the river and falls. The city had been arguing with the railroad for weeks over the detrimental effect of this new construction.

Local officials of the railroad indicated that they might be willing to address some of these concerns.