Take ‘Wright’ out of name

Regarding Nancy Street (July 10) and many other commentators on Fort George Wright Drive: It is my understanding that the name honors the fact that there was a significant military installation at that location. It was initially named New Fort Spokane and later named for a man who committed despicable acts against the Native Americans of this area.

I graduated from Fort Wright College of the Holy Names, now Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute. During my four years there, I researched many things about the fort, and lived and studied in its buildings. I found what horrible actions Col. George Wright took against the native population, so I am definitely no apologist for the man.

The fort was the training site for the early National Guard unit in Spokane. It was also the predecessor for Geiger Field and Fairchild Air Force Base. During the mine worker unrest in the Silver Valley in the early 1900s, Buffalo Soldiers from Fort Wright went to Idaho to help maintain order.

My solution to the name issue would be to change the name to “Old Fort Drive.” That would honor our local military history, and get rid of the hateful name.

Kathleen Riley

Spokane