On an autumn stroll down Spokane’s iconic Manito Boulevard, it’s easy to feel captivated by the stately Craftsman-style homes that line the street. Each home unique, but sharing in a dedication to quality and detail including elegant front porches, decorative details, exposed beams, and intricate woodwork that demonstrated the craftsmanship—hence the name—that defined early 20th century Spokane.

These architectural details are more than aesthetic; they reflect periods of both prosperity and resilience in Spokane's economic past, where the landscape evolved not only with economic ebbs and flows but was also shaped by the local climate, resources, and artisan influences. Shifts in Spokane’s residential styles through the eras act as a visual timeline of the city’s past.

Here’s a closer look at Spokane’s history, told through the lens of its defining residential styles.

—Dylan Harris
The Patsy Clark Mansion, at 2208 W. Second, designed by famed architect Kirtland Cutter, was built during the American Craftmanship era.

Craftsman era (1880s-1920s)

The population of Spokane grew from 300 to more than 100,000 between 1880 and 1907, fueled by the booming mining industry and rail system and the city doubling in area. The new wealth transformed Spokane from a small settlement into a large city, gave rise to the American Craftsmanship style and notable local architects like Kirtland Cutter, whose work spans the city and includes the Glover Mansion, the Patsy Clark Mansion, and the Davenport Hotel.

Craftsman homes often are defined by their exposed rafters, decorative exterior detail, built-in furniture, ornate woodwork, exposed natural materials, and large front porches. These homes are most prominent in neighborhoods like Browne’s Addition, Manito, Audubon Park, and West Central.

Bungalow era (1930s-1940s)

As Spokane’s economic landscape shifted in the 1930s, so did its housing needs. While Spokane was already feeling the pain of declining demand for its industrial and agricultural outputs during the Great Depression, new construction nearly ground to a halt. As it recovered, there was a demand for more affordable housing leading to the transition from the ornate Craftsman style to the slightly smaller, less elaborate bungalow style.

The bungalow is defined by its 1 1/2 story design and was often less decorative with a straightforward, functional layout. These homes—some could even be sourced from a Sears catalog—were valued not only for affordability but for their practicality in Spokane’s variable climate, with simplified designs that required fewer resources without sacrificing durability. The bungalow style is mixed in throughout Spokane and is especially prominent in the West Central, Logan, South Perry, and Hillyard neighborhoods.

Midcentury era (1950s-1970s)

The postwar boom brought another wave of growth, adapting Spokane’s architecture to the needs of expanding families. Spokane experienced significant growth as returning veterans sought homes. Another economic surge spurred by manufacturing and the opening of Fairchild Air Force Base (1942) saw Spokane grow outward into suburbs with ranch-style homes lining the streets, defined by their longer, single-level footprints, larger windows, lower pitched roofs, and more open floor plans. These homes were faster and easier to build and were a staple for postwar, family-oriented suburbs. You can spot classic ranch-style homes with wide lawns driving through neighborhoods like Shadle, Fairwood, Indian Trail, and Comstock.

The split-level era (1970s-1980s)

Spokane was again hit by economic downturn in the 1980s. The national recession in addition to falling timber prices led to new homes needing to be cheaper, easier to build, and efficient. Ranch style homes and split-level homes grew in popularity with their simple designs. The split-level style catered to a shift in family lifestyles, with the need for flexible, connected spaces while maintaining privacy. The design also accommodated Spokane’s hilly lots, allowing for minimal excavation, which reduced construction costs during the recession while still creating additional living space. The suburbanization that began in the post-war era expanded predominantly in the North Spokane, Spokane Valley, Five Mile, and Millwood areas.

—Fusion Architecture
The 317 CDA Apartments project, designed by Fusion Architecture, is an example of a modern infill development in Browne's Addition.

The urban era (2000s-Present)

Spokane’s economic revitalization, driven by tech, health care, and an influx of new residents from larger more expensive cities, is requiring Spokane to grow yet again, but with density and urban infill at the forefront of the planning.

Infill has become a priority for the city, effectively removing single-family zoning and allowing for denser housing such as row houses and townhomes, or any multifamily housing up to four units to be built on previously single-family-zoned lots. Even the iconic Manito Boulevard now features a previously vacant parcel with two modern townhomes. Modern infill projects like Kendall Yards mix of commercial, residential, and multifamily housing prioritizes walkability, community, and sustainability, representing a shift in philosophy toward adaptive reuse and community integration in new development.

Spokane’s architectural layers reveal the city’s resilience and adaptation through economic shifts. Each era, from the grandeur of Craftsman homes to modern infill projects, captures a unique response to the pressures and resources of its time. To explore these spaces more deeply, visit the Spokane Historic Preservation Office, Spokane Preservation Advocates, or the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture—and take time to walk the neighborhoods. Each structure, new or old, holds clues to Spokane’s ongoing story, tying our past to an adaptable future.

Branden Griffith is a Realtor doing business in Washington and Idaho with Schoenrock Griffith, a Spokane-based Windermere City Group LLC team.