The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
55°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Then and Now: Spokane’s first waterworks

Present day: There are just a few bricks left on the south east side of Canada Island in Riverfront Park that allude to the early building, the city waterworks, that once stood there. It was the first water system built by the city of Spokane and was active during the 1889 fire that destroyed downtown. It was built by city water superintendent Rolla A. Jones. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Present day: There are just a few bricks left on the south east side of Canada Island in Riverfront Park that allude to the early building, the city waterworks, that once stood there. It was the first water system built by the city of Spokane and was active during the 1889 fire that destroyed downtown. It was built by city water superintendent Rolla A. Jones. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)Buy a print of this photo
By Jesse Tinsley jesset@spokesman.com(509) 459-5378

Rolla A. Jones gets a bad rap. He ran a jewelry store and was the city water superintendent in early Spokane.

He built the first city waterworks plant in 1888 on Crystal Island, now called Canada Island, in the middle of the Spokane River. Before that, locals carried barrels and buckets to a hand pump by the river. The new waterworks incorporated a Holly Fire Protection System, a new invention integrating a steam engine, rotary pumps and patented hydrants.

Jones was trained to operate the system, but he was in Coeur d’Alene, working on a steamboat he owned, on Aug. 4, 1889, the day the great fire broke out and devoured dozens of blocks of downtown buildings, including the one housing his jewelry store. No one else knew how to turn on the full pressure from the pumps.

Other stories allege he had the only key to the building. The water pressure was so weak that, the Spokane Chronicle reported, “An ordinary garden hose would have been more effective in staying the flames.” Some blamed Jones’ absence for the extent of the damage. He resigned his post after the fire.

Despite the scapegoat reputation, he continued to work for the city. Under contract, he built Upriver Dam, which is still used by the water department today. Jones also operated a nursery at his home near the dam.

The old waterworks building was abandoned in 1896, when the city switched to water drawn from wells at Upriver. Washington Water Power eventually acquired the building, which fell apart over the years. The structure was completely removed for Expo ’74. Jones died in 1934.

In a 1989 recap of the big fire a century earlier, Don Collin, grandson of Jones, said, “I don’t think he should have been blamed. Was he supposed to be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week?”

– Jesse Tinsley