Spokane, Washington Cyanotype Photo Archive, 1890s

Spokane WA Cyanotype

Photograph

[Early Photography] Spokane, Washington photographs from the late 19th century. This archive consists of 6 original cyanotype photographs capturing dramatic views of the Spokane River and its falls in Spokane, Washington, around the 1890s. These early photographic prints, with their signature Prussian blue tonality, depict the dynamic natural force of the river cascading beneath iron bridges and past industrial buildings—structures that hint at the city’s rapid development during the late 19th century. One cyanotype, labeled verso “Old Monroe Street Bridge,” captures a striking angle of the original span that predates the 1911 replacement. Other scenes showcase the “Main Falls” of the Spokane River and extensive waterworks infrastructure, placing these images at the intersection of natural grandeur and urban modernization. Handwritten notations on the reverse of each image identify the location, including “Spokane River, 1895.” The cyanotype process, invented in 1842 by the English scientist Sir John Herschel, uses a solution of iron salts to create a photographic image that develops in sunlight and washes out in water. The rich blue hue—resulting from the light sensitivity of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide—makes cyanotypes instantly recognizable and prized today. These images document the Spokane River during a period of industrial expansion. The city of Spokane, incorporated in 1881, was shaped by its proximity to this river, which powered mills, attracted railroads, and facilitated commerce. By the 1890s, Spokane was emerging as a major hub in the Inland Northwest, leveraging hydroelectricity generated from the river’s falls. The Spokane River’s dramatic course through basalt gorges and under steel truss bridges made it a frequent subject of photography, representing both scenic beauty and industrial promise. This archive is significant not only for its format but also as a visual record of Spokane’s urban and environmental history at the close of the 19th century. Overall very good condition.

Item #21851

Price: $385.00