What is the True Meaning of Spokane?
The city of Spokane is the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Washington, known for its dazzling downtown, proximity to outdoor recreation and myriad things to do for residents and visitors alike. The area is home to numerous natural wonders, such as the amazing ski slopes of Mt Spokane in the winter months, or the stunning beauty of the Spokane Falls. While Spokane is known as the city that gave birth to Father’s Day and home of the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament the true meaning of ‘Spokane’ is often overlooked. What is the true meaning of Spokane, and how did the city get its name? Well, first, we need to dive into the city’s history.
![What is the True Meaning of Spokane?](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e9354172a2ae0bf6957124ee8a9c7b2e 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=73beda31547bc44a6de88ba332927b91 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=dfe9b17bee7ee20b1fa6bd36db7d3ac6 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9547aedf57b2ef2a5895514f354afb13 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=289a6e313173589887ea50bba88d6c62 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b3d5ba564cdfe9a8763d7724827a1a21 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8f0b8f311cddd569b2f9dfa04752e3a0 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=2f23abb1b56f2db4fc6d6e2513af1542 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DSC04560.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=a268170adc1552ecfc68e115d23ab13b 3840w)
The History of Spokane
The history of Spokane begins when Native American tribes occupied the area, utilizing the rivers and protective mountains of the region to flourish. It is thought that the first Native American settlers came to the area around 8,000-10,000 years ago. Historians believe the first tribes documented in the area are direct descendants of those first settlers, living off the fertile land and game of Spokane for thousands of years. Spokane Falls, surrounding mountains and lush plains were a hotspot for Native American tribes, as the salmon-filled rivers and plentiful hunting grounds provided a livelihood for the region’s people.
However, the origin story of Spokane can sometimes start in the early 1800s when European settlers first came seeking new beginnings, or during the 1880s when crews finished the Northern Pacific Railway and an explosion of settlers arrived in the area.
In 1810, the first European settlers came to Spokane, setting up fur trading posts with the Native Americans. The settlers referred to the surrounding tribes as The Spokane tribe and the trading post set up in the area became the first lasting point of trade in Washington.
Officially the city of Spokane was founded by James Glover in 1873 and at the time was referred to as Spokan Falls. Years later, the city dropped the ‘e’ and ‘falls.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=521db7cb47f526a796ca4f2d47033042 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=193d4b19a795ccf17f9550d13e171041 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=980d9879ca731f15c70729ee247ffc9f 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=8e9a45f90612bf861935c1f90aba9ac0 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b7e77015259105c839c7eda21a4444c7 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e7728d5057451c4bb4d14031b0816ec6 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f3d510d33b43cf639148b495e7cbb945 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=0d513484e06fb089551d8e6f20713a34 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/DJI_0435.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=ded5f059e84e63bfe45a572fd0591516 3840w)
How Spokane Got Its Name
While the literal translation of Spokane is convoluted, the widely accepted meaning of Spokane translates to “Children of the Sun” from the Salish language. The Native American tribes of the area were known as The Spokane Tribe since other tribes of the area would have to look towards the sun when referring to the Native Spokane residents. The Spokane tribe lived on the banks of the Spokane River and when other tribes would travel towards their land, they would walk in the direction of the sun. Although there is some speculation among historians, this is believed to be how the name ‘Spokane’ came about.
![history of spokane](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=51071aebaa4baada7aff9055aacae2eb 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f17369a376f285cff9851303968a5665 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a87b10841c15201237466ca79e1d9504 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1e110f744202bffb15ca5186f14c3963 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3f6e292408ce109caa785def3fb049ca 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3c266977fa93a4a40c675f7ad298c985 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=7d5ac3a5c442de0b885fcfa382f0aeba 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=fe66e210642dd93fc619b4015602cca9 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/spokane-valley/BenMatthews-1010182-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=718bac061efff4ad81754f83c893c247 3600w)
What Spokane Means to Residents Today
A lot has changed since the origination of the city of Spokane, but it remains an economic and urban hub of Eastern Washington. The area has seen profound growth, becoming a manufacturing and natural resource powerhouse of the state, with the proximity of farming providing a breeding ground for economic expansion in the city.
Despite immense growth, Spokane pays homage to its roots today with an annual Labor Day Tribal Powwow, honoring the tribes that first occupied the region. Throughout the city, the local tribes are represented in local sports teams, public art, and viewing areas around the Spokane Falls.
During the birthplace of the city, 350 residents called Spokane their home. Today, over 220,000 residents live in Spokane making it the second-largest city in Washington. Spokane means many things to different people, but to all, Spokane is a place of vibrant arts culture, outdoorsy lifestyles, and a genuinely friendly local community. This urban landscape is close to nature so, all who visit Spokane find something to love.