Then and now: Washington State Pavilion

Careful planning and modern design were hallmarks of the Washington State Pavilion at Expo ‘74 in Spokane. The facility included an auditorium for nearly 3,000 people, exhibit halls and a theater. Post-fair, the Legislature transferred the facility to the city.

Section:Gallery

Mon., March 18, 2019

Workmen prepare the new concrete steps in front of the Washington State Pavilion in October, 1973 at the Expo ‘74 site. At this point, the building was about 65 percent complete. The pavilion, with its state-of-the-art acoustics and multimedia equipment, was built to remain after Expo as a convention center and auditorium.

Walter Hodges The Spokesman-Review Photo Archive
The formerly named Washington State Pavilion, seen here Friday, March 15, 2019, is now called the First Interstate Center for the Arts. It still serves Spokane as a state-of-the-art performing arts center. Unlike most of the buildings at Expo, this structure was built to be permanent and serve as a theater and convention center.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review