Built in 1930, the Spokane Fire Station No. 9 was constructed in the face of formidable opposition. In that year it was determined that the underpinnings of the old station were unsound. South Hill residents and City Commissioner Lambert requested funds for a modern and aesthetic new building, designed by local architect Albert W. Cowley. The projected cost of the new station was $13,807, but the Great Depression was about to descend upon Spokane, and money was already becoming tight. Many opposed this expenditure, including Spokane Mayor Funk, who declared “That’s fine and dandy for that neighborhood.” In response to tightening budgets, in May of 1930, Fire Chief William Joyce announced a plan to consolidate Spokane Fire Stations by eliminating some facilities, claiming that the new and faster fire engines could cover a larger territory. With this, the question of a new Fire Station No. 9 became embroiled in this controversy. Despite the opposition, sufficient funding was agreed upon in June, 1930, and by July the old building was down. The new station, officially opened on November 25th, was built on the same site as the previous one, and in the nick of time. Chief Joyce’s consolidation plan became a reality in 1933, and several stations were closed for good. Subsequently, no fire stations were built in Spokane until 1939 when the ravages of the Depression had lessened.

Fire Station No. 9 is a contibuting property in the Ninth Avenue Historic Districted, listed on the National Register of Historic Places 7/21/1994 as well as the Cannon Streetcar Suburb Historic District listed on the Spokane Register 3/6/2023.

Management Agreement