
Jensen-Byrd warehouse building
The Jensen-Byrd warehouse, 131 E. Main Ave., was built in 1909 for Marshall-Wells Hardware Co., which was headquartered in Duluth, Minn. Sometime after Marshall-Wells agreed to buy another Spokane wholesale hardware company, Holley-Mason, in 1930, Marshall-Wells moved into the Holley-Mason building, 157 S. Howard St., and leased its warehouse on Main to the U.S. Forest Service. Marshall-Wells moved back to the warehouse on Main in 1946 and the Forest Service moved to the Holley-Mason Building. Jensen-Byrd bought Marshall-Wells' Spokane operations in 1958. The building is now owned by Washington State University which is debating its future.
Section:Picture story

1930 historical photo of the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, when Marshall-Wells, a hardware distributor, occupied the 1909 building.
CHARLES LIBBY MAC/EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The 1909 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building as it now stands in 2013. It is now owned by Washington State University.
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1947 historical photo of the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, when Marshall-Wells, a hardware distributor, had rented the 1909 building to the U.S. Forest Service.
CHARLES LIBBY MAC/EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Jensen-Byrd warehouse building (orginally the Marshall-Wells Co, building) has stood since 1909. It is now owned by Washington State University.
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1954 historical photo inside the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, when Marshall-Wells, another hardware distributor, occupied the 1909 building. The people pictured are training to install linoleum from Marshall-Wells Co.
CHARLES LIBBY MAC/EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Russell Pritchard, Jr., Washington State University senior project manager, walks through the empty sixth floor of the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, Aug. 15, 2013, near downtown Spokane, Wash.
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1950 historical photo of the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, when Marshall-Wells, a hardware distributor, occupied the 1909 building. The people pictured are employees from Marshall-Wells Co.
CHARLES LIBBY MAC/EASTERN WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Contrasting light and colors paint the south side of the empty 1909 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building.
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Washington State University senior project manager, Russell Pritchard, Jr., left, and Jon Schad, WSU director of facilities operations, view the second floor of the 1909 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, Aug. 15, 2013, near downtown Spokane, Wash.
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A burst pipe in the ceiling of the sixth-floor women’s bathroom in the Jensen-Byrd warehouse building caused heavy damage.
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Washington State University senior project manager, Russell Pritchard, Jr., views the fourth floor of the 1909 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building, Aug. 15, 2013, near downtown Spokane, Wash. Parts shelves from the hardware store’s last days are still on the floor. The university is debating the future of the structure.
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Washington State University director of facilities operations Jon Schad, views the 1910 addition in the 1909 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building.
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Contrasting light and colors paint the south side of the 1908 Jensen-Byrd warehouse building.
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