Fort Spokane

Fort Spokane is a military fort located in Lincoln County at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane rivers, built in 1880. The site preserves four original structures including a powder magazine, guardhouse, stable, and reservoir from the period of its military operation.

The United States Army built the fort in 1880 to create a buffer zone between Native American reservations and expanding settlements around the Spokane area. After 1900, the military abandoned its use and the installation was repurposed for different functions.

The fort operated as a boarding school for Native American children beginning in 1900, fundamentally changing how the buildings were used and arranged internally. Visitors can see the physical spaces that were repurposed to house classrooms, dormitories, and medical facilities.

A visitor center housed in the former guardhouse offers free exhibits and information about the site's history. The fort is located within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area and is easily accessible, with grounds open for visitors to explore at their own pace.

The fort served as a tuberculosis hospital starting in 1913 and continued treating patients until closing in 1929. This medical phase left fewer visible marks than the military or school periods, but it represents an important chapter in the site's evolution.

Location: Lincoln County

GPS coordinates: 47.91306,-118.30611

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:10