SPECIAL SECTION
I MAY 4, 2014
Hello, world
Forty years ago today, Expo ’74 changed the face of Spokane
MOLLY QUINN mollyq@spokesman.com
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The Spokesman-Review
Sunday, May 4, 2014
EXPO ’74: THE LEGACY
A legacy of renewal
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
Cranes fill the skyline as the demolition work for Expo '74 moves forward during March 1973.
Expo ’74 brought the world – and newfound energy – to Spokane By Addy Hatch addyh@spokesman.com, (509) 459-3805
Downtown Spokane has had two great transformations in its history: the Great Fire of 1889 that destroyed the city center, and Expo ’74, which renewed it. Before the World’s Fair, a tangle of railroad tracks and warehouses on and around the current site of Riverfront Park all but hid the river gorge from view. The fair cleared that away, leaving open space that would be built into the 100-acre park with the spectacular falls as its centerpiece. And there was a burst of new construction and refurbishment all over the city to get ready for the six-month run of the fair. The Spokesman-Review estimated the work completed from 1970 to 1975 totaled a little
more than $115 million – $581 million in today’s dollars. Economic studies done at the time estimated Expo ’74 created 7,200 new jobs. Hosting a World’s Fair in Spokane solved two problems: decades of neglect of the Spokane River, and a desire by local business leaders for urban renewal. “Spokane has pulled itself out of a slide
toward central city decay and became a showcase of cooperation between local businessmen and concerned environmentalists,” said the official Expo ’74 media guide. Maybe the most important transformation, though, was in how the city saw itself. Spokane pulled off the feat of being the smallest city to host a World’s Fair. More than 5 million visitors attended the fair during its six-month run, coming from all over the United States and around the world. The Spokesman-Review interviewed one family who hosted more than 200 houseguests that summer. Visitors stayed in dorm rooms at then-Eastern Washington State College and the economic jolt was felt See LEGACY, K3
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sunday, May 4, 2014
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EXPO ’74: THE LEGACY
LEGACY
Continued from K2 as far away as Pullman. While the international pavilions and other exhibits might look hokey in this high-tech world, they were state-of-the-art at the time. The USSR Pavilion was the fair’s largest foreign exhibit – and the first time the Soviet Union had participated in a World’s Fair in the United States since 1939. Expo ’74 was the first environmental World’s Fair, or as the event’s own environmental impact statement referred to it, “the presently popular environmental-ecological concern theme.” It brought new ways of thinking to the Inland Empire. After the fair, an unnamed Gonzaga “Don” told Northwest Magazine, “… counter-culture groups were virtually unknown here before Expo.” The same magazine article also noted that the money, new construction and even new residents – Expo visitors who decided to relocate – were a boon, but “the things that really made the greatest difference were in the realm of the world of ideas.” That’s pretty much what one young Expo worker told a Spokesman-Review reporter the night the fair closed for good: “I’ve learned more this summer – about people and all – than ever before in my life.”
Notable names Expo ’74 was the result of cooperation among a large group of business and community leaders. Some of the most influential, according to J. William T. Youngs’ “The Fair and the Falls,” were: King Cole, president of the Expo ’74 corporation Petr Spurney, general manager of Expo ’74 Neal Fosseen, Spokane mayor during the 1960s David Rodgers, Spokane mayor during the late ‘60s and 1970s Roderick Lindsay, head of the Expo board Glen Yake, Spokane’s city engineer who supervised demolition and park-building Jim Cowles, who was instrumental in persuading the railroads to give land to the city Rep. Tom Foley, who sponsored Expo ’74 in the U.S. House of Representatives Sen. Warren Magnuson, who promoted Expo in the U.S. Senate. Source: “The Fair and the Falls,” J. William T. Youngs
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
The international pavilions and other exhibits of Expo ’74 were state-of-the-art facilities at the time.
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The Spokesman-Review
Sunday, May 4, 2014
EXPO ’74: NORMA LINDSAY
Loving the high life
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
“I don't know why I keep these dresses,” said Norma Lindsay at her home in Coeur d’Alene on April 10. This dress was part of her party wardrobe for Expo ’74. She is the widow of Rod Lindsay, the World’s Fair chairman.
By Addy Hatch addyh@spokesman.com, (509) 459-3805
For local business people and government officials, Expo ’74 was more than just the activities taking place at the fairgrounds in the city center. “There were lots of black-tie parties,” recalled Norma Lindsay, wife of Expo ’74 Chairman Roderick Lindsay. “The dinners
Lindsay dined with Nixons, attended ‘fabulous’ events and all those things were fabulous.” The various international delegations would host dinner parties and Expo officials would entertain visiting dignitaries and politicians, she said.
“Other people in town had parties too,” said Lindsay, now 85. “There was something going on all the time.” As a result, she added, “You had to have a big wardrobe.” She has kept some of the long dresses she wore during the fair, many of which were chosen for her by Betty Bone, who operated a See LINDSAY, K5
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sunday, May 4, 2014
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EXPO ’74: NORMA LINDSAY An original license plate for Expo ’74 is on display at Norma Lindsay's home in Coeur d’Alene. KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
LINDSAY
Continued from K4 high-end boutique in the Davenport Hotel for many years. Lindsay also has programs, invitations, ticket stubs and items emblazoned with the distinctive Expo ’74 Mobius. Her husband, who died in 1991, was tapped for the chairmanship after a long history of civic engagement, she said. His family founded Lincoln First Savings & Loan Association, and Roderick Lindsay stepped down from running the bank in 1969 to “embark on a career in civic enterprise,” The Spokesman-Review reported at the time. A Democrat who served in the Washington Legislature for 14 years, Lindsay is often credited with bringing the necessary political connections to the effort to assemble a World’s Fair in Spokane. Among the perks of being Chairman: an Expo official was dining Roderick Lindsay in the private Expo ’74 Club President: King on the World’s Fair site, Cole Norma Lindsay said. General She and her husband were Manager: Petr also given use of a Spurney chauffered Mercedes sedan for the six-month run of the fair. As fun as that was, she said, “Charles (the chauffer) was not much of a driver.” The highlight for her was opening day on May 4, 1974. She lunched with President Richard Nixon and first lady Patricia Nixon and found him “vacant” and her “very warm,” Lindsay said. Nixon would resign that August from the fallout of the Watergate scandal. The weather was perfect and the day’s many events went off without a hitch. “It was a very emotional day,” she said. After all the concerts and parties, the official and unofficial gatherings, Expo came to a close in November. There was one last cocktail party, then the Lindsays decamped for an extended stay in Hawaii where they had a vacation home. “When it was all over, Roderick was happy to retire,” said his wife. “That was his last civic duty.”
Expo ’74 officials
Courtesy of Norma Lindsay
Above: Roderick, the Expo ’74 chairman, and Norma Lindsay prepare for a night out during the fair. “There was something going on all the time,” she said. Left: Norma Lindsay still owns an original program from Expo ’74.
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
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The Spokesman-Review
Sunday, May 4, 2014
EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
Making memories Readers share photos and their most memorable World’s Fair moments Compiled by Addy Hatch addyh@spokesman.com, (509) 459-3805
We asked print and online readers for their Expo ’74 memories and photos, and reprint a selection here. View the photos at www.spokesman.com/ reader-photos/expo-74. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. slum to world exposition site on a daily basis Mark Conlin, Spokane: My wife Kathy and while watching the countdown in the I have one of the largest souvenirs from Expo Clocktower windows. On opening day I was ’74. After the Worlds Fair, we purchased the lucky enough to score a spot in the shade of the Expo ’74 post office building at an auction the Russian Pavilion to watch the opening following spring. They were removing the ceremonies. President Nixon, countless hot air buildings to make way for the park. We balloons, the doves, the march of nations, disassembled the building and transported it to soooo many memories. Then there was lunch Lake Pend Oreille and made it into a lake every day in a different country thanks to the cabin. We built an addition to the cabin along Food Fair. As a member of the Spokane with several improvements over the years. Jaycees at the time, I was fortunate enough to Five generations of our family have enjoyed be one of four chosen to be “Mayor’s the lake at the Expo ’74 post office building. Ambassadors,” meaning we acted as Robert Grossman, Camano Island: As driver-escorts for and with Mayor David coordinating architect for the construction of Rodgers as he entertained visiting dignitaries. Expo ’74, I spent many hours on the site with Truly a wonderful time to be living in the various contractors. On this particular day, Spokane! the metal framework for the iconic “butterfly” Arlene Calhoun, Nine structures had just been Mile Falls: Just a note to let erected, held in place by you know about my parents three guy wires. Parked and Expo ... believe it or not, adjacent to one was a they attended the fair every construction truck belonging day for the entire six-month to one of the large utility run! There was always companies working nearby. something new. All of the One of the guy wires had not entertainers would rotate been properly secured, and from the different countries. the butterfly frame fell They were both retired and across the truck but, held they never missed a day, somewhat above the ground they absolutely loved it. We by the butterfly arms, used to tease them about it managed to just barely cause but now that I think about it some cosmetic damage to ... They had a wonderful Pat Cadagan the vehicle. Surveying the time and made many friends damage, the crew members from many countries. were discussing which one of them would fill Frances (Wang) Martin, Spokane: I out the company’s required accident report. worked in the Chinese Pavilion for the World’s Finally the crew supervisor indicated he didn’t Fair as the chief hostess. I met my husband plan to submit a report. When asked why, his Terry Martin during the fair and later on we response was: “What am I going to say – that a were married here. The Chinese, Korean and butterfly fell on my truck?!!” Japanese pavilions were next to each other. A Pat Cadagan, Spokane: I worked in an woman who lived in Spokane named Haru was office downtown at that time so got to enjoy the secretary of the commissioner general of watching the area evolve from a railroad
Frances (Wang) Martin
the Japanese pavilion. She would come over to chat from time to time. One day she said, “You don’t go out.” I told her you should be properly introduced. So she said, “Oh, I can introduce you to somebody.” A few weeks later she said “I got one. I’m sending him to your pavilion to say hi to you.” Here comes this graduate from Gonzaga Law School. I see this guy with sideburns, long hair and a leisure suit, polyester of course. He didn’t talk much, he was very quiet and shy, but I talk a lot. We went out a few times and it worked. But I must return home because of my passport. I came back in May and we got married in August in Spokane. This event was monumental for a small town to host. A lot of people put out a lot of heart, soul and money. I hope people don’t forget. Donald Orlich, Pullman: Expo ’74 was a great experience for my wife and two children. We bought season tickets and drove to Spokane about every week or so. A memorable highlight was attending every session of the Trinidad Cavaliers steel drum orchestra. They played on steel drums tuned and harmonized See MEMORIES, K7
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sunday, May 4, 2014
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
MEMORIES
Gospel Mission instead and never let go of filled with balloons. It was a wonderful feeling. it. Two days after that….this shy man asked me My husband’s name was Robin Wittwer; he Continued from K6 to marry him!! We were in Spokane for about a died in 2002. week and a half and went to Expo three or four to give a wonderful organ effect. Calypso and Keith LaMotte, Spokane: Our Expo story times. We got married a month and a half later, other West Indies tunes abounded. And they begins early in 1974 on radio station KMPC in after having only been together an even played “Time is Tight” and “In the Los Angeles. My mother-in-law decided to accumulative of two weeks. We will be Mood.” We still have their 12-inch vinyl “Steel enter a contest sponsored by Hughes Air celebrating our 40th anniversary this Vibrations” album. West. Her challenge was to figure out the clues October. We have three children and six on the radio about Spokane, solve a puzzle, and John Miller, Portland: I marveled at the grandchildren. send in a postcard. She figured out the clues, striking clash of mottos on the pavilions. U.S.: despite having never set “The Earth does not belong to Man, Man Terry Hontz, foot in Spokane, gave us belongs to the Earth.” USSR: “The land and its Spokane: I was a student the answers and we, mineral wealth, waters, forests, factories, are at SFCC and night along with her and my state property that belong to the whole custodian at the Spokane father-in-law, each sent people.” The U.S. quoted Chief Seattle while County Courthouse in in the cards. We both the Soviets featured their “Decree on Land.” those days. Many nights won trips. Scary contrast! I just loved everything about we watched the 10 p.m. We set down in Expo ’74 and how it transformed my fireworks from the Spokane in the last half hometown. I moved to Portland in 1972, but courthouse tower. And I of September, which purchased a full pass, and I came up many attended the fair nearly provided refreshing times to visit the fair and my family. I get every day as I lived just weather for a couple of emotional to this day just thinking about it. blocks away on West Southern Californians – Broadway. Maryrose Groce, Spokane Valley: When short sleeve days and the opera “Aida” was in the Opera House Don Cummings, windbreaker evenings. during the Expo the lead was a lady from Mead: My memories of David Roberts On the last of our four Croatia by the name of Bozena Ruk Focic. My Expo ’74 go back to late days, with a late afternoon flight back to husband and I greeted her when she arrived ’73 and spring of ’74 when I supervised up to Smogville, we had become intrigued with the with her husband at Spokane International 85 men at Dix Steel Co. where we fabricated city and started walking around. I worked for Airport. I spent much time with them during five walk bridges and the U.S. Pavilion. I am IBM at the time, and our wandering took us to the two weeks they were here. The reason was proud of that experience and the way this the IBM office and ended up looking in the that I was asked to be her interpreter. My small city carried out the large task of cleaning window of what appeared to be a closed real parents were born in what is now Slovenia. out the old part of the city and pulled it all off. estate office on Sprague looking at the photos I was across the river when President Nixon Janet Pattison, Spokane: I met my of homes for sale. opened and was so proud to have a part in it. husband at the 1974 Expo. We were both The seeds had been planted, and after some competitive roller skaters; he was a short track Charlie Bowman, Spokane: I parked cars soul searching and prayer, we decided in speed skater (his parents owned Pattison’s at the Coliseum. I worked there all through November to see if we could engineer a Rollercade) and I was an artistic skater from high school, that was my junior year of high transfer to the IBM office here in Spokane. I Portland. This was the school. I got to see all the actually began working here in mid-February, first year I had not shows, got to see Grand then returned to Palos Verdes, sold the house, qualified for nationals in Funk Railroad, and Caroline and I and our three children seven years and I had just Aerosmith, Rush. I met (almost 10, 7, and 4) headed for Spokane in a turned 18, so a girlfriend Jim Nabors, shook his U-Haul truck. and I decided to drive up hand. We worked noon to But that’s only a fraction of the story. My to the Expo in Spokane. 6 p.m. We could cut cousin, who helped us move, went back to We made reservations at through the Coliseum to Pasadena, got his wife and moved here in July. the Bell Motel and sent get from one side to the Following that, Caroline’s sister, husband and our $13.50 deposit in. My other, we were walking two children; Caroline’s brother and wife; my girlfriend and I get to right by the stage, he aunt, niece and her daughter; and Caroline’s Spokane and can’t find pointed down to us and parents arrived in the late ’70s and early ’80s. our motel, so we go to the said, “I need some And then between 2006 and 2012, five more skating rink (now backup singers for the Terry Hontz families with 22 new Spokane residents settled Pattison’s North) hoping next song, how about you into the beautiful Inland Empire. to find our friends…that was the first time I two guys?” That was a great summer. We used So you could say that my 95-year-old met my husband. Well, no one knew where the to look forward to going to work. mother-in-law is responsible for a substantial Bell Motel was and couldn’t find it in the Deborah Wittwer, Spokane: When we number of former Californians finding their phone book even; so Larry said we could crash picked that day for our wedding, I didn’t way to Spokane. And I haven’t heard any one at their house, seeing how there was not an realize it was going to be the opening day of of them wishing they’d stayed in Southern empty room in town. The next day seven or Expo. My best friend since first grade was California! eight of us decided to go to Expo together. My supposed to sing with Rogers High School for husband was very shy back then, but as we Nixon, but she came to my wedding. I was late David Roberts, Spokane: I hadn’t yet were walking from where we parked, everyone getting to the church because of the traffic. I turned 18 during my senior year in high school just kind of goofing around, he grabbed my was being married while Nixon was speaking hand joking around about going to the Union and when I came out of the church the sky was See MEMORIES, K8
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
MEMORIES
study art and paint with our own resident artists, Herman Keys and John Continued from K7 Thamm, because of this experience and it has been a lifetime joy. when Expo ’74 opened. Certainly, by then, Julia Hand, Cheney: Those were exciting, President Nixon was in big trouble but he got magical, halcyon days for me as an employee of the stage to launch it. I bought a season pass and I enjoyed many visits to the World’s Fair. the Expo ’74 public relations department and Several of my friends and I had jobs working as as a new citizen. To say I enjoyed meeting busboys at the Black Angus people every day, and Restaurant (now Anthony’s) interviewing some of them, across the river from the site would be an understatement. with a spectacular view of the They came from all walks of life upper falls (remember the and represented diverse stainless steel dance floor?) interests and life experiences. Throughout the summer, the Most were politicians who place was packed every visited Expo ’74 for their state evening, especially for the day celebrations. Some were fireworks show to close the fair entertainers like Liberace and for the day – we worked our Rolfe Harris. The interviews I tails off but we also got to did on site with personnel from watch the show from that the USSR Pavilion were John Miller prime location. When I had a interesting but not as night off, I liked to go to the view spot at the spontaneous and natural as I was accustomed east end of Canada Island to watch the to, probably because the interviewees were fireworks – right underneath the explosions! always accompanied by KGB personnel. It was Another favorite was the Imax Theater – such a bit unsettling to say the least. new technology then. Felt like I would fly out I also interviewed Iran’s ambassador to the of my chair when the traffic scene came to a United States, Ardeshir Zahedi, who at that screeching halt. The rides, riding the point in time was also known as Washington sky-whatever-it-was with a date, exotic DC’s most eligible international foods, colorful butterflies for bachelor. He was a very landmarks, sparkling water, friendly people gracious and charming from all over the world – good times in gentleman. Later that Spokane! day, I was asked for the cassette containing his Lee Stone, Post Falls: I had just graduated interview and was told it from Shadle Park and started working as a was going to Iran in the janitor at the Expo ’74 Headquarters/YMCA diplomatic pouch to be building. I got to watch the construction of the broadcast on Radio site and often saw King Cole and Mayor Tehran. A few days later I (David) Rodgers with the site’s architects received a small package. working late. The headquarters had several It contained a desks of photographers who tossed boxes of commemorative Persian rejected slides out showing construction and gold coin and a conceptual artwork that I would take home handwritten letter from and pick out the best. I’ve sent some of these to Bob Isitt Ambassador Zahedi the photo upload site. expressing his pleasure with our interview. I Arlene Mork, Spokane: I remember the still have the letter and the gold coin. French onion soup, the ebelskivers, the Donna Potter Phillips, Spokane: Our didgeridoo music at the Australian exhibit. My story is about our son, Timothy, who turned most memorable memories are of the beautiful seven during Expo ’74. One day we were all paintings exhibited there. We had a wonderful down enjoying the day as a family when we gallery of famous artists’ works, sponsored by turn around and Timothy is nowhere to be Seattle First National Bank, where I seen. (The crowds were huge that day.) We volunteered as a docent. People came from all backtracked and found him with a vendor on over the world. I met people I would never the “blue bridge.” This enormous black man, have had the opportunity to meet. We couldn't with a heart as big as he was, was holding and always speak the same language, but art is consoling our Timothy with his tear-stained universal, and the appreciation of art does not face. Wish I had had my camera that day! need language. We studied with Radford Thomas for several weeks to become informed John Miller, Spokane Valley: Kids were 3, 5 of the artists’ works and history so we and 6 and we went every weekend during the could answer the visitors’ questions. I still have fair. Enjoyed building kites and watching the my homework, and I refer to it. I began to wooden boat as it made its way to completion.
Expo ’74 was one event that helped convince us to stay in Spokane. We arrived in 1973, and we stayed. James Stueckle: I was 12 years old from Colfax and the concert choir with some children (me) sang “Everything Is Beautiful” there. When Expo ended my father bought some of the pavilions, tore them down and brought the lumber home to Dusty, Wash. Barbara Curtis, Spokane: My view of the opening ceremonies was from the floating stage as part of the Expo ’74 Official Band. I was the only woman hired as a permanent musician with the band. We stood behind the NORAD Band, a few rows behind the dignitaries and President Nixon. We cleared security early and had to remain on the stage until the close of the ceremony. The day was unseasonably warm for early May and I soon discovered that the turtleneck shirts and band uniform jackets were not designed for hot Spokane summers. Obviously, I have no photos of the event. I am sure many fair-goers have pictures of me, though, as I performed with the band for the duration of Expo. Lindsey Sean Mahar, Spokane: At the east end of the U.S. Pavilion across from the Imax was one of three main features of the pavilion exhibition space called the Federal Action Center. Incidentally, it is still there. My favorite exhibit at Expo was housed in that facility and was called “The Spokane Story.” It included many audio and video exhibits regarding the history and development of Spokane and included a beautiful and very authentic recreation of a turn-of-the-century downtown basement bar/tavern. This part of the exhibit could be viewed from an elevated walkway on one side of the room. I have never forgotten that exhibit because it was so beautifully presented and yet I can find no mention of “The Spokane Story” exhibit in my Expo literature or on the Web. I just wonder if anyone else remembers it and maybe has some information about it. At the time of Expo, I was a member of the Moose Merrymakers, a clown group that was a unit of the Spokane Moose Lodge #161, and our group visited the Expo at least twice, in costume, and had a great time entertaining the attendees. What a great memory. Bob Isitt, Spokane: As far as memories, the one that stands out is the obvious one and not See MEMORIES, K9
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sunday, May 4, 2014
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MEMORIES
hogging all of it. summer of Expo ’74 and my parents bought me both a bus pass and a season pass. It was Margaret Shields, Liberty Lake: Working Continued from K8 the perfect age as I really enjoyed going to the downtown durning the 1950s and having to fair. I counted the number of times I stood in walk to my car after 9 p.m. under the train particular to just me. It’s the opening day line to see the Imax movie “Man Belongs to tracks was a scary ordeal. Downtown Spokane along with 80,000 other people, with the Earth” – it was 13 times over the season. I have was not a pretty place and where were the world looking on and President Nixon giving a memories of the Soviet Union pavilion, falls? Then Expo appeared and so did our river speech just a few months prior to his Australian Pavilion, The Book of Mormon and and the falls, plus the resignation as a result of I want to say the Iran Pavilion. I saw Bill world joined in. What Watergate. My grandpa Cosby and Marcel Marceau perform at the excitement and what a was a conductor for the new Opera House. beautiful city. When I Great Northern and we I also have memories of the Indian culture heard a pass cost $50 I use to drop him off at the display over on the north side of the fair. I thought I would use it depot where the would visit that area quite often over the only several times but we Clocktower still summer. Of course I would also visit the rides! used it several times a stands. So for me to have I have a memory of a very tall Ferris wheel and week. Daytime, and what experienced that can remember going on it both day and night. fun at night. My favorite transformation while Every entrance to the fair was designated by memories are being able watching the opening day a colorful butterfly. There was a red, yellow to show off Spokane to festivities was a strong and lilac one and probably some other colors out-of-town family and memory. To many today too. I usually entered at the red entrance. I friends. My parents loved it’s just the Clocktower also rode the gondola many times during the it. To this day whenever I but for me I’m still fair. I remember one of the popular toys was am in the city park I am standing inside the train the invisible dog on a leash. I watched people taken back to when the depot with trains coming Margaret Shields spend their money on that all summer long. area was dark, and then and going. Hard to Expo appeared and now a beautiful park for all believe it's been 40 years. Laurie Giles Suess, Colfax: I worked at to enjoy. the Ford Pavilion during Expo ’74. Our Dan Mullenix, Spokane: I was a junior at pavilion was located close to where the red University High School and our choir Joan Tracy, Cheney: During the summer wagon is today. Great memories of working at performed at the opening ceremonies for of 1974 our daughter, Jean, worked as a then-President Nixon. (Not that I was a good Expo ’74. waitress at the Davenport Hotel coffee shop. singer. I took choir thinking it be an easy A.) Jim Stefanoff, Spokane: My brother She often finished work at 11 p.m. so my We were practicing days before on the floating husband and I bought season tickets to Expo. David Stefanoff and other Explorer Scouts stage when I noticed they had just started up We got to the Expo grounds before 11 p.m. so were helping to coordinate liftoff of the the chairlift that ran from one end of the park that we could find a place to sit near the river manned hot air balloons partaking in the to other. I thought how cool it would be to be and watch the fireworks, which happened opening ceremony. The plan was for these to one of the first on the lift. My friend Greg and every night at that all take off at once at I were in the back row of the choir so we time. The fireworks the moment the fair climbed off the stage and ran to the beginning opened, along with were preceded by of the chairlift. Not thinking this through too thousands of small music from Handel's well, (as a typical high schooler) the lift went helium balloons. My Water Music. We right over the top where the choir was brother and two hot noticed that when the practicing. As we came into view, suddenly my air balloons were music began the fellow classmates were pointing upwards at us stationed on the roof ducks, which were and laughing. At that point, our choir of what is now the paddling peacefully instructor looked up and saw Greg and I River Park Square in the river, moved passing over the top. Although he may have parking garage. In rapidly upriver, away been laughing on the inside, he sure wasn't on final preparation for from the fireworks. the outside. He just stood there shaking his launch the balloon They had learned head. Yes, we may have gotten in a little pilots were making that the music meant trouble, but we still got to sing on opening day. adjustments to their that soon a loud noise balloon’s air, when would be coming. Sheldon Engstrom, Spokane: I was 10 Laurie Giles Suess one of the pilots years old when Expo opened so my favorite Shari Davis, accidentally part of the World’s Fair was a visit from the Spokane: I do not overfilled or overheated his balloon, causing it president and the chairlift ride that went remember exactly who got me into Expo the to lift too hard for the volunteers holding the across the park. My sister and I enjoyed many day before it opened but it was a connection anchor ropes, and they let go. The result was rides on that chairlift and just plain enjoyed through my dad’s business at the time. I that the balloon took off, and when the other going to the fair. Our family had season passes remember going in by the way of the bridge pilot saw that balloon going up, he lifted off as (my sister still has hers) and all of us enjoyed onto Canada Island. We got to ride the Sky well ... and then when the other balloon pilots going to the fair. To this day I still cannot Ride. who were located on other roofs around the believe how many people were in Riverfront I also attended Expo the next day for the park saw those two going up, they went also. Park on that opening day so many years ago. It opening ceremonies and watched Richard That is why the opening photos of the fair was nice seeing our little corner of the world Nixon speak. There were doves let off at the show the hot air balloons up prematurely. get some attention instead of just Seattle end of the speech. I was 11 years old the
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
Facebook flashbacks
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
A bust of Vladimir Lenin greeted visitors as they entered the USSR Pavilion at Expo ’74. The pavilion was the largest foreign exhibit at the fair.
We asked readers to share their Expo ’74 memories on The Spokesman-Review’s Facebook page. Following are the original Facebook posts (in italics) and their responses. (Edited for clarity and length)
USSR Pavilion
The USSR Pavilion at Expo ’74 was the first time the Soviet Union participated in a World’s Fair inside the United States since World War II. Does anyone know what happened to that enormous bust of Lenin? (Thanks to Benita Papadakis for the photo.) Lois Stratton: Maybe it went away with all the missing Soviet flags in the circle of flags. We got all the anger from the Soviet pavilion folks who were very unhappy with the souvenir hunters. They angrily called King Cole’s
office, and we must have had to replace at least six Soviet flags. Typically King, he told them they should be flattered that their flag was the only one ever taken.
Shady taverns disappear
The Buck and Doe. The Tijuana. The Eldorado, the Surf N Turf. Kaley’s and the Falls View Tavern. And of course, Barbary Coast. These are all taverns with scurrilous reputations that were located in downtown Spokane before the central city was cleaned out in preparation for Expo ’74 (ht Tony Bamonte). See FACEBOOK, K11
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
Continued from K10 Paul Shields: Ha ha! … Remember buying beer as a high schooler at the Buck and Doe!! Margie Montague Gannon: Falls View changed to Judges Chambers and was fun in the ‘70s. Steve Thom: Wow, I’m old! I remember that part of town. Our favorite was the Skylark. Is it still open? Mike Reno: Strip joints, bars, payday lenders, pawn shops, liquor stores only happen because citizens allow it or want it. We don’t need a world’s fair to do the right thing. But it sure helped. Gregg Creighton: What an amazing transformation! For certain,
Spokane’s biggest achievement. Nick Thomas: It’s high time for a new big achievement, IMO.
Building blocks
Lee Stone said he was working as a janitor in Spokane in the YWCA building when it was the Expo ’74 headquarters. He said he often found slides of construction scenes of the Expo site in the trash and, as a curious 18-year-old, he thought they might be worth saving. Carrie Coyle-Balow: I cannot imagine how ugly Spokane must have been prior to the Expo. Best thing to happen ever! Margaret Maggie Crabtree: Wonderful! I remember touring the site See FACEBOOK, K12
Courtesy of Lee Stone
Lee Stone, a janitor at the YWCA building when it was the Expo headquarters, saved several slides of construction scenes.
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
Continued from K11 before they started construction with my 7th grade class.
Environmental theme
Expo ’74 was the first world’s fair with environmentalism as a theme. It was an eye-opener for fairgoers as well as fair organizers, one of whom spoke of the “Sahara Club” during the planning phase, when referring to the Sierra Club. Kirsten Schierman: My grandpa Frank Simonson Sr. helped build that! We see it every day and think of him. Pete Wilke: loved this fair and it did wonders for the riverfront! Ricco DiStefano: I went almost every day that summer. To this day, I would never even consider littering. The theme really sunk into me as a boy. Lois Stratton: Lets not forget that Vicki McNeil, long before she was mayor, organized and almost single-handedly is responsible for the seats in our new Opera House, through an agreement with a very generous business community. Remember, the name of the business responsible for that seat was on it!! Luke Williams must also never be forgotten as he was the hero who got a Democratic governor, Dixie Lee Ray, to sell the Opera House to the city for $1, when his governor friend, Republican Dan Evans, would not. To me, these are the lasting memories of Expo ’74 and we should have them recorded in our history for all time. My biggest fear See FACEBOOK, K13
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
Crowds filed past exhibits in the U.S. Pavilion after watching a film in the IMAX theater. The theater, beneath a huge canopy, represented one of three topics in the pavilion. Also on display were examples of how Americans polluted their environment, and explanations of how environmental damage was being approached by the government.
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
Sister Paula Mary Turnbull, Fort Wright College art department chairman, assembled the garbage-eating goat on the Expo grounds.
Continued from K12 during this 40th anniversary bash is that someone is bound to be left out of the glory of ’74 reunion! Robert Christerson: My dad made the expo cookies. Keith Goehner: I was the housing coordinator for the Folklife Festival. North side of river by big steam engine. Best job ever!
Favorite attractions
Sister Paula Turnbull is seen here installing the garbage-eating goat on
the grounds of Expo ’74. It’s still there, still inhaling garbage. What was your favorite thing at Expo? Donald Stanfield Walls: The smell of the food court in the evening! Cathy Durkin Tapken: The German Beer Garden Les Sample: you know, I lived on Monroe Street near the bridge, watched it being made and went in the Army March 1973 and never got to go to it while it was running. Deanna M Bramhall: My dad did the payroll for the Expo. He enjoyed it! See FACEBOOK, K14
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EXPO ’74: READERS REMEMBER
Continued from K13 Jan Muzatko Sanders: Oh yes I remember the goat. Expo was such fun. We still have an Expo ’74 license plate holder on our car! Dan Hansen: That massive locomotive on display north of the river. Jil Scollard: Losing my shoe over the falls on the gondola ride. I was six years old and my grandparents laughed. Vicki Denz: I was the one-millionth person to enter the Chinese pavilion at Expo ’74. I was 12 and when the lights and alarms went off, I thought I had won the lottery. All I got was a poster. I was 12. And very disappointed!
Ride in the sky
The SkyRide chairlift was a real hit at Expo ’74. Some people have said it was installed after Expo at Schweitzer Mountain Resort - any truth to that? Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Truth. It was known as Chair 7. ChazBetz Bowman: I remember it well. I had two friends leap off it, into the Spokane River! They thought it was hilarious. Expo security didn’t think so. Kicked them out of the fair for the day. Tammy Carlson Tokas: I hated that ride and cried the whole trip. I was only 4. Dan Nelson: Met one of my longest, dearest friends riding this. Still brings back fond memories thinking about that ride.
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
The A&W SkyRide was among the most popular attractions for the run of the fair.
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EXPO ’74: ENTERTAINMENT
Fair aimed to entertain “It has long been a tradition that the best performers on the international and national scenes appear at world fairs. Expo ’74 is no exception,” The Spokesman-Review reported in a special edition on May 5, 1974. It wasn’t an exaggeration – Expo drew top talent in pop, rock, country, jazz and classical music, plus comedians, performing troupes, dancers and athletes. The performances took place at the brand-new Opera House, now the INB Performing Arts Center, and the old Spokane Coliseum, as well as throughout the Expo grounds. Here are the highlights of the entertainment schedule; not listed are various national dance, opera, music and theatrical companies: The Spokesman-Review photo archive
May
1: Grand opening featuring the Spokane Symphony, ballet dancer Edward Villella and opera singer Roberta Peters 3: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra with Zubin Mehta conducting 6: Pointer Sisters 8: Marcel Marceau 10: Roger Williams 15: Tom T. Hall 17: Gordon Lightfoot 26: Bob Hope 28: Isaac Stern 30: Emmett Kelly Jr. Circus
June
6: Philadelphia Orchestra with Eugene Ormandy conducting 6: Lawrence Welk
Expo ’74 visitors settled in for an evening of entertainment near the Washington State Pavilion.
7: Bill Cosby 8: Joffrey City Centre Ballet 11: Seals & Crofts 19: Patrice Munsel 20: Grand Funk Railroad 24: Royal Shakespeare Theatre with Sir Michael Redgrave and Dame Peggy Ashcroft 27: Modern Jazz Quartet 29: Harry Belafonte
July
1: Champion gymnasts of the Soviet Union, including Olga Korbut 3: Liberace 8: Seattle Opera Association 11: Victor Borge 13: Glenn Yarbrough
14: The Carpenters 16: Chicago 18: Mormon Tabernacle Choir 26: Jack Benny
August
5: Bachman-Turner Overdrive 10: Walt Wagner 11: Charlie Pride 19: Christopher Parkening 19: Jim Nabors 20: Buck Owens 26: John Denver 26: Margot Fonteyn and the London Ballet
September
1: Merle Haggard
4: Itzhak Perlman 10: Kreskin 24: Helen Reddy 27: Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton
October
3: Warren Miller ski lecture and movie 11: Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians 20: Don Juan in Hell starring Myrna Loy 25: Van Cliburn
November
2: Ella Fitzgerald –Compiled by Addy Hatch
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EXPO ’74: 1974 TIMELINE
March 18 - Oil embargo against U.S. ends
Life in 1974: selected events from the year of Expo
April 2 - “The Sting” wins Best Picture at the 46th Academy Awards
Jan. 2 - President Richard Nixon signs into law the 55 MPH speed limit Jan. 4 - Nixon refuses to hand over tapes subpoenaed by Watergate committee
April 8 Hank Aaron hits 715th HR, breaking Babe Ruth’s record
Jan. 12 - “The Joker” by Steve Miller Band hits No. 1 Jan. 13 - Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII Jan. 15 First episode of “Happy Days” airs Jan. 18 First episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man” airs Feb. 2 - Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” hits no. 1
April 30 - The White House releases edited transcripts of the Nixon tapes May 1 - The U.S. federal hourly minimum wage is set at $2 an hour.
Feb. 4 - Patricia Hearst is kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army asva
Feb. 7 - Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles” opens
May 4 President Nixon opens Expo ’74
Feb. 8 - First episode of “Good Times” airs
Feb. 8 - Skylab 4's astronauts land Feb. 20 - Cher files for separation from Sonny Bono
May 9 - The House Judiciary Committee begins impeachment hearings May 12 - The Boston Celtics defeat the Milwaukee Bucks for the NBA championship May 18 - “The Streak” by Ray Stevens hits No. 1 on the charts
March 2 - 1st-class postage raised to 10 cents from 8 cents
May 20 - Judge John Sirica orders President Nixon to turn over tapes of White House conversations regarding Watergate
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EXPO ’74: 1974 TIMELINE
June 1 - The Heimlich maneuver to rescue choking victims is published in the journal Emergency Medicine June 20- Gen. Augusto Pinochet becomes supreme chief of Chile
Jun 27 - President Nixon visits the USSR
Sept. 16 - President Ford offers Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders conditional amnesty for the U.S.-Vietnam War Sept. 28 - First lady Betty Ford undergoes a radical mastectomy
June 28 - Wings releases “Band on the Run” June 29 - Soviet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defects to West July 5 - Chris Evert wins Wimbledon
Oct. 9 - Riots erupt in Boston due to courtordered busing to desegregate schools
July 6 - Jimmy Connors wins Wimbledon
Oct. 30 - “The Rumble in the Jungle” Muhammad Ali KOs George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire
July 12 G. Gordon Liddy and John Ehrlichman are convicted
Nov. 3 Expo ’74 closes
July 21 - House Judiciary approves two articles of impeachment against President Nixon July 24 - In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court rules Nixon has to surrender the Watergate tapes July 27 - House Judiciary Committee adopts articles of impeachment
Nov. 20 - Justice Department files an antitrust suit to break up AT&T
Aug 8 - President Richard M. Nixon announces in a television address that he will resign his office 12 p.m. Aug. 9
Dec. 3 - Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back, wins the 40th Heisman Trophy
Aug. 9 - Richard Nixon resigns and Vice President Gerald Ford takes office as the 38th president
Dec. 5 - BBC airs the final episode of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”
Aug. 16 - American punk rock band the Ramones make their debut at New York club CBGBs
Dec. 19 - Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” premieres
Sept. 8 - President Ford grants Richard Nixon a full and unconditional pardon
Dec. 31 - Jim “Catfish” Hunter signs with NY Yankees for five years for a record $3.75 million
Sept. 13 - NBC airs first episode of “The Rockford Files”
Dec. 31 - Altair 8800 computer appears in Popular Electronics
SOURCES: history.orb; history.com; Washington state Digital Archives; The Spokesman-Review photo archive; McClatchy Tribune; Associated Press; staff research
MOLLY QUINN mollyq@spokesman.com
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EXPO ’74: THEN AND NOW spokesman.com/then-and-now
The Spokesman-Review photo archive
1974 The A&W SkyRide, which traversed a large portion of the fairgrounds, was a popular attraction throughout Expo ’74. Riders traveled over pathways, landscaping, the Spokane River and even a major arterial carrying heavy city traffic.
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EXPO ’74: THEN AND NOW spokesman.com/then-and-now
JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
PRESENT DAY The Riverfront Park Clocktower stands guard over the Spokane River and the floating stage, where the A&W SkyRide once carried visitors over the south channel of the river, the fairgrounds and the Washington Street bridge.
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
1974 The south channel of the Spokane River was a focal focal point of activity on May 7, as masses of balloons were released from floats in the river, each representing a different country. Spectators lined the Washington Street bridge to watch the spectacle.
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
PRESENT DAY Early spring colors and the Riverfront Park Clocktower are reflected in the south channel of the Spokane River. Expo ’74 helped reverse decades of neglect of the river, and spurred local business leaders to push for urban renewal.
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
1974 President Richard Nixon spoke at the opening ceremony on May 4. “Let us hope and let us pray on this day that we can look back and say that over that 25 years, the peoples of the world, despite their differences in philosophy, lived together in peace,” he said.
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EXPO ’74: THEN AND NOW spokesman.com/then-and-now
JESSE TINSLEY jesset@spokesman.com
PRESENT DAY The floating stage behind Spokane’s INB Performing Arts Center is where Richard Nixon, embroiled in the Watergate scandal that would spell the end of his presidency three months later, spoke to a throng of thousands.
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
1974 The bright lights of the the World’s Fair created a riot of color in the heart of Spokane against a backdrop of nighttime sky. This view, looking northeast, focused on Havermale Island and the shimmering canopy of the United States Pavilion.
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COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com
PRESENT DAY Dusk settles over Spokane’s Riverfront Park on April 9. Expo ’74 revitalized the city and cleared the space that would be built into this 100-acre park with the popular Spokane Falls as its centerpiece.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
STRIKING UP THE BAND Sounding off during a riverside appearance at Expo ’74 were members of the American Fork, Utah, Marching Band, performing on the steps of the Bavarian Garden. Adding to the spirit of the musical spectacle was majorette Jill Whaley.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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LOG ROLLING A young Expo ’74 visitor fell in the pond after trying his luck in a log-rolling contest in front of dozens of spectators at the Folk Life Festival. Staged on what became a parking lot on the north bank of the Spokane River, the festival lineup changed daily.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
TRIBAL WEDDING CEREMONY Spokane Tribe members held a mock wedding ceremony at the Native American Earth exhibit. The medicine man was Gibson Ely, left rear. The bride, center, was Carol Sterns and the groom was Mike Sayler. The ceremony drew capacity crowds.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
IRANIAN WELCOME The Iranian Pavilion prepared to honor its ambassador. From left were Mrs. Faribandeh, Deputy Commissioner General Sheikh and Miss Fereshteh Malekzadeh. The pavilion’s themes ranged from the country’s history to the protection of its environment.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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The Spokesman-Review photo archive
TASTE OF THE ORIENT Its sails unfurled while moored in the Spokane River, a Chinese junk marked the Northwest Orient Airlines’ exhibit. The vessel once plied the fishing waters around Hong Kong, and also served as a pleasure craft before its appearance at Expo.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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HIGH-SPEED ENTERTAINMENT The Jet Star II roller coaster was the star attraction of the fair’s Great Northwest Midway. Eight cars covered 2,000 feet of track at up to 55 miles per hour. After the fair, the Jet Star II found a new home at the Lagoon amusement park in Farmington, Utah.
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EXPO ’74: SCENES
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FLORAL ENTRY Flowerbeds added splashes of color to all corners of the Expo fairgrounds. Colors were coordinated with butterflies and directional guideposts to help visitors find their way around. These marigolds greeted U.S. Pavilion visitors.