Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

About 500 visitors flocked to Spangle for the opening of the new Spokane County Infirmary and Home for the Poor.

An “inmate” nicknamed Auntie Wilson, 84, shook hands with many of the visitors and greeted them with these words: “May God bless you one and all. It is good to see you here and to know that we are not forgotten.”

The Rev. J.G. Law gave the dedicatory address, in which he said “many of the inmates are weak physically, mentally and morally, through no fault of their own, but through the faults of their parents or neighbors.”

The only “unpleasant feature” of the dedication came when 500 visitors all “rushed” to the kitchen for a free lunch.

“Many children were nearly overcome in the crush,” said the paper.

From the highway beat: The “widely heralded” Snoqualmie Pass road was under construction and was slated to open on July 15, 1914.

This would be the final link in the Sunset Highway – the route between Spokane and Seattle. The road “pierces the heart of the most scenic portion of the Cascade Range.”

A wagon road had long existed over the pass, and a few brave motorists had already attempted it. This new road promised to be a major improvement. Yet during its early years it, too, would prove to be a frightening, steep, boulder-strewn challenge.