SPOKANE, Wash – As Spokanites celebrate the 50th anniversary of Expo ‘74, NonStop Local is highlighting Riverfront Park and the history that resides there.
The U.S. Pavilion was built for the World Fair. It was a gift from the United States Government. Congress passed a bill to fund the Pavilion in 1972. The total cost at the time was $11.5 million.
The original structure was made from 100,000 square feet of fabric and supported by 4.6 miles of steel cables.
It’s one of the most iconic structures in Spokane, although some people who live and don’t live in the Lilac City don’t know what the actual name of it is.
NonStop Local’s John Webb and Ava Wainhouse set out to see how many people knew what the name of the Pavilion was.
“Do you know what building this is,” Webb asked a man from Spokane. “It’s down in Riverfront Park. I think that’s the Expo building,” the man said.
“That’s the Pavilion,” another Spokanite said proudly.
A woman from Kettle Falls, WA thinks about it before saying “no.”
Wainhouse asked a man from Pennsylvania, “Adam, do you know what this is called?” “The dome,” he said.
“The Centennial. Is it the Lilac Bowl,” two Washington State University students said.
“The Pavilion,” a Spokanite said.
Whether people know the name of the Pavilion or not, it certainly is home to a lot of history.
Charli Brown, a woman from Kettle Falls went to Expo ‘74.
“It was the best music. The best music. It was better than Disneyland,” Brown said.
After the fair, many features were added to the Pavilion – an ice rink, carnival rides and an expanded IMAX Theater.
“When I was eight, it used to be an ice skating rink and I tried to do a jump, not knowing how to do any figure skating, and I took my brother out and he fell down,” Brenna from Spokane said while chuckling. He wasn’t injured, thankfully, according to Brenna.
Over three decades later, the Pavilion would change again. In 2014 a $64 million bond was passed to touch up the Pavilion. In 2019 crews completed the redesign, which is what we see today.
“I like the view at night when it all lights up and stuff,” a young kid from Spokane said.
And some like the view so much, that they skipped class.
“We skipped school. Yeah, and watching this because this looks so beautiful.”
