The Indomitable Francis H. Cook of Spokane: A Man of Vision

Francis Cook was one of Spokane's most remarkable founding fathers. In 1879, at age 28, with a strong faith that Spokane Falls would become the heart of the Inland Northwest, he started its first newspaper, the Spokan Times. Through his paper, Cook became the tiny town's greatest advocate and promoter, attracting hundreds of newcomers. Simultaneously, because of his public stand against unethical railroad practices, he was elected to the Washington Territorial Legislature. By a unanimous vote, he became its youngest presiding officer and oversaw the creation of Spokane County.

Cook built Spokane's first motorized streetcar and purchased 680 acres of prime South Hill land, with plans for a residential development surrounding a park, named Montrose (now Manito) Park. When the Panic of 1893 brought financial ruin to those plans, he moved his large family north, where he developed the area that was to become Wandermere Golf Course. With help from his sons, he built a road to the summit of Mount Spokane, opening it for public recreation and enjoyment. This gained him distinction as the “Father of Mount Spokane State Park.” Despite his valuable contributions to the development of early Spokane and its environs, Francis Cook has not received the recognition he so richly deserved — until this book was written.

Quality paperback (7" x 10"), 136 pages, 101 photo illustrations, index.

Also by Doris Woodward: “Harper Joy, Spokane's Man of Many Faces: Let the Show Begin”