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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

Yep. Seems Spokane’s been keen on having green lawns for some time now.

“Sprinkling to be allowed at any hour,” proclaimed the top front-page headline in the Spokane Daily Chronicle.

With the reservoir and standpipes “full,” the newspaper reported, “water famine troubles are practically at an end in the city.”

Not only would people be allowed to use automatic sprinklers, but watering by holding the nozzle of a hose was allowed, completely unrestricted.

A new pumping station was about to go online that would be able to supply the city with 70 million gallons of water a day. Additionally, reports from various districts indicated the water supply was better than it had been before the summer.

From the parks beat: Minnehaha Park, called “once notorious,” was slated to reopen July 4, under new management and with a new mission. “All undesirable patrons will be barred. … Liquor has been tabooed, and where riotous scenes once prevailed, Sunday school picnics and fraternal societies will hold forth.”

Also, there was to be an open air theater of motion pictures.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1910: The original Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox for eight decades, held its opening day under the name White Sox Park.