World’s Fairs bring together nations and companies from around the globe to promote themselves. With the theme “Celebrating Tomorrow’s Fresh New Environment,” Expo ’74 brought the world to Spokane in 1974. The fair transformed what was once an industrial wasteland into the vibrant Riverfront Park.
Organizing a World’s Fair in Spokane
Once a center of Native fishing, Spokane Falls powered Spokane’s early industry. But that came at a cost. By the 1950s, the area had become highly polluted and a tangle of railroad traffic. Many wanted that to change. In 1959, a group of downtown business and property owners formed Spokane Unlimited with the mission of revitalizing downtown Spokane. This included making Spokane Falls visible and accessible.
The group had many ideas on how to do this, but they settled on the most audacious one. Inspired by Seattle’s 1962 Century 21 Exposition, they wanted to try the same thing in Spokane. A fair would clean up the area around the falls and create a new city park. It would also celebrate the city’s 1973 centennial and the upcoming United States bicentennial.
Even after voters authorized a $5.7 million bond in 1971 and the city council created new taxes, Spokane’s bid for a world’s fair was still a long shot. However, in November 1971, the Bureau of International Expositions, which oversees world fairs, approved Spokane’s proposal. The city is the smallest to have ever held a World’s Fair.
Fair organizers, led by King Cole of Spokane Unlimited, chose an environmental theme, “Celebrating Today’s Fresh New Environment.” Participants promoted their country’s (or company’s) ecological efforts.
Three railroad companies donated 17 acres along the river and Havermale Island, the heart of the 100-acred fair. The Great Northern Railroad station was demolished except for its iconic clock tower. This tower began a countdown to the fair.
As organizers negotiated with participating countries and companies, the land was reshaped with fill dirt. For the holidays in 1973, fair volunteers created a Christmas tree made of recycled cans on the site. Excitement for the fair was building.
Spokane Expo ’74 Opens
The fair opened on May 4. Standing on a stage in the Spokane River across from the Washington State Pavilion, President Richard Nixon, accompanied by First Lady Pat, opened the fair before a crowd of 85,000.
My father, who attended the opening day but arrived later, remembers Nixon leaving, surrounded by tall Secret Service members and besieged by anti-Watergate protestors. Nixon resigned three months later.
Initial attendance was low. But even with a national gas shortage, numbers soon picked up as news of the event spread.
Touring the World in Spokane
Australia, Iran, Japan, the Philippines, the Republic of China (Taiwan), South Korea, the Soviet Union and West Germany sponsored pavilions. Mexican companies commercially sponsored Plaza Mexicana. Canada backed out, but the British Columbia and Alberta provinces had their own pavilions on “Canada Island” (Cannon Island).
A giant aluminum map of the USSR was on the front of their building, and a scowling bust of Lenin greeted visitors to exhibits. The Soviet cafeteria was one of the most popular restaurants at the fair.
The iconic United States Pavilion was the largest and cost $11.5 million. Featured on promotional materials, its iconic 12-ton, 14-story tent-like roof was covered with two acres of vinyl. With the theme “Man and Nature: One and Indivisible,” exhibits like “Trash Mountain” taught visitors about natural resources, pollution and solutions. Guests could also enjoy the IMAX film “Man Belongs to the Earth.”
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana had pavilions. The Washington Pavilion hosted performances from opera to contemporary stars like Gordon Lightfoot and John Denver. They also showed the short film “About Time,” using rear screen projection to make it seem to stretch to infinity.
Commercial Exhibits at Expo ’74
Commercial pavilions were many. Bell telephones allowed children to call their favorite Disney characters. With the fuel shortage, Ford and General Motors exhibits were popular. Kodak’s pavilion had a giant hot air balloon roof.
Nonprofits sponsored other pavilions. The Energy Pavilion explored alternative energy, and the Pan-African Foundation celebrated Black history and achievement at the Afro-American Pavilion.
“The Northwest: A Gift to the Earth” and the Folklife Festival offered music and activities. The city of Spokane and Boeing co-sponsored the International Amphitheater on Havermale Island, a free outdoor performance venue.
Visitors could grab a bite to eat at the International Food Fair. Those who found the exhibits too tame could enjoy carnival rides at the Great Northwest Midway.
The clocktower counted down the days until the fair closed on November 3. Around 5.6 million people had visited the six months long fair. While most were Americans and Canadians, there were about 100,000 visitors from other countries.
What Remains of Expo ’74
Most pavilions from Expo ’74 were meant to be temporary and were demolished after the fair ended. Historic plaques mark the locations of some pavilions. Riverfront Park opened in 1978.
Other reminders of the fair today include public art like the “Garbage Goat.” The Washington Pavilion became the First Interstate Center for the Arts. The Numerica SkyRide gondolas that took people across Spokane Falls during the fair still carry visitors today.
The fair’s most noted survivor is the U.S. Pavilion. Its deteriorating vinyl roof was removed a few years later but it remains the iconic symbol of Riverfront Park, the park the fair built. For over half a century, the area has continued to attract visitors from across the region to see the mighty Spokane Falls, just as Expo ’74 organizers wanted.
