Nettleton’s
Addition was platted in 1887 and is the largest historic district in
Washington State. Nettleton’s was added to the Washington State
Heritage Register in 2005 and the National Register of Historic Places
in 2006. This early Spokane streetcar suburb documents perfectly the
lifecycle of American cities: initial rapid development (over 70% of
the existing housing stock was built prior to 1910), slow decline
through the mid-Twentieth Century and now, urban renewal and
gentrification.
When
Nettleton’s Addition properties first went on the market in 1887, the
Spokane Falls Review exclaimed breathlessly that “For beauty of
situation the Nettleton Addition is certainly unsurpassed.” The Review
went on to describe views of the Spokane River, “…far below, the clear
water seethes and tumbles as it winds it tortuous way,” the
surroundings, “…from every portion of it a beautiful view of the city
and surrounding country can be obtained,” concluding that Nettleton’s
Addition “… in many ways is superior to anything that has yet been
offered.” Today, Nettleton’s Addition residents are still attracted by
these natural features in addition to now-historic homes, proximity to a
newly revitalized downtown and a major “new urbanism” development
proposed on its southern boundary.
We
welcome you to spend some time learning about the historic significance
of Nettleton's Addition.