Twin Steam Plant Square Chimneys - Spokane, WA
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T0SHEA
N 47° 39.313 W 117° 25.493
11T E 468095 N 5278067
With its tall twin brick chimneys, Steam Plant Square requires no directions nor map in order to find. When in the downtown Spokane area, the place is difficult to miss.
Waymark Code: WMJV3K
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 01/01/2014
Views: 8
The chimneys of the Steam Plant are a downtown landmark in Spokane, visible from almost anywhere in the vicinity. Each of the 225 foot tall chimneys is made of 166,670 bricks. From inside
Steam Plant Square there is a place where one may look up the length of the chimneys. The decorative work at the top of each chimney is done with buff coloured brick, as opposed to paint or stain, to withstand the elements.
Built in 1915 by the Merchants Central Heating Company, the Steam Plant was to supply heat and electricity from its steam powered generators, the heat being a by-product of the electricity generation. In 1916 it was sold to the Spokane Heat, Light and Power Company who ran it for only 2 years before going into receivership.
Recently the steam plant underwent a national-award winning renovation, retaining much of the inner workings of the plant. Boilers, pipes, valves, gauges and coal transport mechanisms are all visible, as is the skeleton of the building, now backdrops for offices, shops, restaurants and bistros. It is really an amazing building to tour. While there don't neglect to look down at the gorgeous tile flooring in the building.
In April, 1919, Washington Water Power (WWP) purchased the steam plant, from receivership, to produce steam heat and electrical power. Soon thereafter WWP formed Spokane Central Heating Company. Spokane Central Heating Company operated it independently until 1939 when it became part of the WWP Spokane Division. WWP is now recognized as Avista Corp.
The steam heat produced from the plant served downtown Spokane until 1986. During its operation, fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas and saw dust were used to produce from 150,000 to 370,000 pounds of steam per hour. In 1986, it was determined that the plant was no longer economically viable, for much of the internal piping needed substantial repair or replacement.
Todays's Trio
The three structures that comprise today's Steam Plant Square are the Central Steam Plant, Seehorn-Lang and Courtyard Buildings. The Courtyard is a newer structure. Construction began in 1996. It connects these historic buildings that are now listed on the National, Washington and Spokane Registers of Historic Places.
The recognized history of the Seehorn-Lang and Central Steam Plant adds a nostalgia to the technologically advanced infrastructure that meets the demands of today's businesses.
From Steam Plant Square
