It’s not running related, but it has the same nuttiness and absurdities as I Must Run Everywhere posts. This new book came out in March 2022, and it’s available at the locations listed below. If you live out of the area, you can purchase an e-file or physical copy on-line by clicking here.
Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Freshwater Shark Attacks details the history of 10 iconic Coeur d’Alene landmarks and another 27 in Spokane. You may infer by the title and the less-than-glowing newspaper reviews on the cover that it’s a spoof. It is, but after each spoofy account, a brief, real history is given. You can get it at:
Spokane – Boo Radley’s / Garland Mercantile / Kings / Giant Nerd Books / 2nd Look Books / Aunties / Ritter’s Garden and Gift
Coeur d’Alene – EntertainMART (The old Hastings store.) / Museum of North Idaho / Looking Glass
Sandpoint – Corner Book Store
See if these couple excerpts bring you a smile…
The Great Northern Clock Tower
Built in 1902, the Great Northern Tower is one of Spokane’s most familiar landmarks. Despite a clock on all four sides at the top of the structure, many Spokanites think it’s either a rocket ship or a missile left over from the Cold War. A few others believe it’s a natural rock formation that just happens to look like a clock tower.
Originally a centerpiece of the Great Northern Railroad Depot, the tower is not a space vehicle or missile, but it does have an outer space-related purpose. The tower’s clocks are so huge and keep time so accurately, NASA instructs astronauts orbiting the earth to look out the window while passing and set their watches by it.
The Great Northern Railroad Depot was razed in 1972, and the clock tower stood alone as it was refurbished for the World Exposition of 1974. The clock tower was always packed – it was the most popular exhibit of the fair. Although entering was quick and easy, because of its height, narrow structure and lengthy, single-file staircase, it took visitors three days to exit.
Though the tower is symbolic of Spokane’s past, new features keep it up to date. Lighting was installed in the mid-90’s so you can read time at night, and in 2010, an alarm and snooze function was added.
Actually…
When the Great Northern Railroad constructed its Spokane depot in 1902, the clock tower rose from the center, and the depot extended from the tower on both sides. When Expo ’74 was in the planning phase, there was discussion whether to incorporate the entire depot, just the clock tower, or raze everything. Ultimately, only the clock tower was saved.
Though the clock tower was a prominent landmark on the expo grounds, it was never open to visitors. To keep the clock going, a city employee has to climb to the top of the tower once a week and turn a hand crank 98 times.
Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park
Opened in 2014 after $20 million in improvements, McEuen is the only municipal park in the U.S. that is open to adults only. Most parks cater to children, but the city of Coeur d’Alene, in response to residents’ wishes, created a park that looks like any other, but has a strict ban on children.
Coeur d’Alene residents long complained that taking children to the park is boring. They have to keep watch, intervene now and then, and stand around until it’s finally time to go home. The kids had fun, but mom and dad sure didn’t. No more.
At McEuen, the giant jungle gym is sized for adults. There are swings for two, teeter-totters with cup holders and enclosed, heated slides for cold-weather use. The splash pad offers seating that is adult width. Water nozzles raised to adult height shoot powerful jets of cold water directly into the face, giving welcome relief on hot summer days.
The most popular feature is the 430-stall underground parking garage. Many adults like nothing more than driving to the park to sit in a quiet, shaded, parking spot to text and use social media. Others like napping in the designated quiet stalls. Still others enjoy hanging out, comparing their accessorized cars and shooting the breeze.
McEuen Park has been quite a success, and a fringe benefit was recently documented. While visiting the park, residents report that children are often left at home with instructions to clean house and prepare meals. Research into this arrangement found that responsibility among Coeur d’Alene children has increased 63%.
Actually…
People of all ages can go to McEuen Park. No one is posted at the park entrance refusing entry to children, so adults hoping to spend quality time together without the kids are out of luck.
There is a 430-car, below-ground garage, and perhaps a few people go there to text, use social media or sleep, but most leave the car to visit the park or places nearby.
McEuen underwent a $20 million upgrade and reopened in May of 2014 with many new features. Located downtown on the shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene adjacent to Tubbs Hill, there’s no shortage of options for having a good time.
In the late 1950s, a shopping center was proposed on the land occupied by McEuen Park. However, because of the work of many, including Coeur d’Alene conservationists Art Manley and Scott Reed, the land was preserved for the future park.