History of the Wandermere Golf Course

Mead High School alumni Ty Brown set out to learn more about the history of his family who founded the Wandermere Golf Course, and ended up writing a history book instead.

Section:Gallery

Wed., June 19, 2019

An undated photo shows a view from the top of the ski jump hill at Wandermere Golf Course. Huge crowds watched the jumps, drawing over 25,000 for the weekend. There also were large ice rinks and winter festival grounds. Note all the cars in the background.

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Workers trucked in snow to the Wandermere Golf Course in 1933 for the first annual Spokane Ski Carnival. The carnival featured ski jumping and attracted an estimated 22,000 spectators who clogged the highway for hours on the way to and from the tournament. Halverd Petterson from Vancouver won the Class A competition with a 98 foot and a 121-foot-long jump.

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In this undated photo, Wandermere Lake proves popular spot during warm weather. Give a bunch of youngsters a body of water in the warm summertime and they’ll have the time of their lives. This group at Wandermere is no exception. Others on the lake relax in a boat, while others take a refreshing dip after nine or 18 holes of golf. On weekdays the lake usually isn’t very crowded, but fills up rapidly on week ends.

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In an undated photo, Wandermere Lake is a winter scene as ice skaters frolic on the frozen lake.

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The Wandermere Bridge just north of Spokane on Highway 395 is seen on Nov. 10, 1994. It’s opening was scheduled for Nov. 21, 1994.

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The Little Spokane River overflows its banks and inundates Pine River Park in the Wandermere area in March 2017. Author Ty Brown has self-published about the Wandermere area, specifically centered on the golf course. His said his next book might focus on the Little Spokane River Valley.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Some luxury homes with views of the Wandermere Golf Course line the bluff on the north side of the course Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2016. In the 1930s, part of the slope was turned into a 700-foot ski jump for the thrilling spectacle of ski jumping competitions which drew thousands of spectators.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Thousands watch as daring ski jumpers fly off the ramp, and occasionally crash, on the north bluff overlooking Wandermere Golf Course in 1933. Skiing promoters organized ski jumping competitions off and on through the 1930s even though the Spokane area usually had little or no snow in January and February of those years. Snow was usually trucked from nearby mountains or shipped by rail from the Cascades. The nine-hole course had plenty of room for parking and crowds, but expanded to 18 holes after World War II.

The Libby Collection Eastern Washington Historical Society
Merrick Kellogg, tees off while on a company outing with his co-workers on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Wandermere Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Golfers play the course Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Wandermere Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

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West Valley High School English and history teacher has written a book about the Wandermere area’s history. The book, “Wandermere: Legacy on the Little Spokane River,” printed by Grey Dog Press, was published in February 2019, and has sold over 600 copies.

Nina Culver The Spokesman-Review
News clippings of Wandermere ice skaters are seen on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Wandermere Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A historic photo of Wandermere's ski hill is seen on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Wandermere Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
A historic photo of Wandermere ice skaters is seen on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at Wandermere Golf Course in Spokane, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo