Last week, we were
introduced to Aubrey White, who became known as the “Father of Spokane’s Park
System”. This week we will learn more
about this interesting character. The
information posted here is quoted from the book, “Manito Park: A Reflection of
Spokane’s Past”. You can learn more
about this book at www.tornadocreekpublications.com. Our story
now continues:
In
addition to his tireless park promotion campaign, Aubrey White was also active
in numerous business ventures. He was in
partnership with Jay P. Graves in the Old Ironside and Grandby mining
properties. He was also involved in
Graves’ railway lines (Spokane Traction Company, Coeur d’Alene Electric
Railway, and Spokane & Inland Railway Company) and participated in the
reorganization of the three companies into the Inland Empire Railway Company,
of which Graves was the president and White vice-president. White, Graves and several other investors
(the Spokane-Washington Improvement Co.) , owned large tracts of land,
including some land donated for Manito Park.
Although White had numerous conflicts of interest, his connections and
influence were driving forces behind Spokane’s development. White’s memory has been honored by the naming
of Aubrey L. White Parkway in Riverside State Park, and the preservation of an
area he loved along the Little Spokane River as a park.
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