Fort George Wright - Spokane, WA - Military Installations on Waymarking.com

In 1895, residents of the Spokane area purchased the area known as Twickenhan Park and deeded it to the government for the construction of a military post. Congress authorized the purchase of the land in 1896,construction of the post began in 1897, and it officially opened in 1899. Most of the buildings were built between 1897 and 1906. Fort George Wright was used for military purposes until 1957, when the government declared it surplus and gave educational facilities priority to purchase the property.

Some of the land was used for Spokane Falls Community College in 1960, and the Sisters of the Holy Names purchased 76 acres for the relocation of Holy Names College, a four-year liberal arts college for women. The school was renamed Fort Wright College in 1963 and operated until 1982. During that time, the Commons dining hall was constructed (in 1963), followed by Regents dormitory in 1968 (renamed Covington in 1994). In 1968, St. Michael's Mission, a chapel building dating from 1882 and originally located near the Bigelow Gulch Road, was moved to the Fort Wright Campus. The campus was listed as the Fort George Wright Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places in May 1976.

After the closure of Fort Wright College, the buildings were leased to various groups by Holy Names Center. The site was purchased in 1990 by Mukogawa Women's University for the establishment of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute (MFWI), an intensive English and American Culture program.

In the years between 1990 and 2000, the existing buildings have been restored and renovated, the grounds have been meticulously groomed, 192 trees have been planted (21 of them donated by successive classes of students), and in 1994 a 20,000 square foot Library was constructed. The campus is a site of learning and cultural exchange, as well as a popular venue for meetings, weddings, and other functions for the community of Spokane.

Era: Napoleonic - WW I General Comments: Should you wish to walk the grounds of old Fort George Wright, it is requested that you clear this with the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute first, as this is now a private woman's college campus. The college was quite helpful when I requested to walk the campus to take pictures for this waymark. There is also an appointment only Fort George Wright museum on campus. The number to call to set up an appointment for the museum and for permission to walk the campus is (509) 328-2971. Related web site: [Web Link]

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