May 12, 2009 in Features

History of Spokane Bridge

Longtime musician Chuck Borris of Post Falls has written a song which he performs occasionally at the Rockin’ B Ranch near the Idaho-Washington border. It tells the history of Spokane Bridge, Washington. Never heard of it? It was a tiny settlement where Interstate 90 crosses the state line and several landmark events happened nearby and many influential historical figures passed through in the 19th century. Those events illustrate the clash of cultures between the original peoples from the Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai and Spokan Tribes and the white military and settlers, sometimes with tragic results. Although little is left of the town from its pioneer heyday, the Rockin’ B Ranch, a cowboy supper show housed in an original old barn, continues to share the history. Photographer Jesse Tinsley assembled this video of Borris performing his song to a slideshow of old photos from the surrounding area.