| Spokane College | |
| Type: | Four year |
| Affiliation: | United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America |
| City: | Spokane |
| State: | Washington |
| Country: | United States |
Spokane College was the name of two colleges in Spokane, Washington. The first operated from 1882 to 1891, and the second operated from 1906 to 1929.[1]
The first Spokane College operated from October 1882 to October 1891 on 157 acres just north of the Spokane River.[1] It was founded by Colonel David Jenkins, a Civil War veteran, who later founded Jenkins College in December 1891. When it opened, tuition at Spokane College was $15.[2] Enrollment peaked at 200 students in 1890, but Spokane College couldn't compete with other nearby institutions: Gonzaga University, the Washington Agricultural College and School of Science (now Washington State University), and the State Normal School (now Eastern Washington University).[2]
The second Spokane College was founded in 1906 by the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America on Spokane's South Hill, and operated until 1929.[3] The four-year liberal arts college also operated a law school.[4] The college closed in 1929 when it was merged into Pacific Lutheran College (now Pacific Lutheran University). Spokane Junior College operated on the site from 1935 to 1942.[3] Spokane Junior College was a reorganization of Spokane University, which operated in the Spokane Valley from 1913 to 1933. The junior college closed in 1942 when it merged with Whitworth College (now Whitworth University).[5]
During World War II, the building was used as housing for soldiers stationed at Fort George Wright.[1] The building was turned into apartments after the war, and was torn down in 1969 to make way for the Manito Shopping Center, which presently occupies the site.[6]