Liberty Lake was once known as "Spokane's Inland Seashore." With natural beauty and attractions like boating, entertainment, dancing, and Fourth of July celebrations; many were originally brought to the area by electric train.

In 1910 a Light Rail line ran from Downtown Spokane out Sprague Ave. to Liberty Lake and on to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho where it connected to a Steamboat that would take you to Harrison, Idaho. The beaches and dance pavilion at Liberty Lake drew great crowds every weekend. This railroad was later converted to an electric trolley.

1900--The Spokane and Inland Electric Railroad is organized. With trains running between Spokane and Coeur d'Alene, the railroad serves local stations in Orchard Avenue, Millwood, Pinecroft, Vera, Otis Orchards and Liberty Lake.

Liberty Lake vacationers once rented a lakeside cabin at Sandy Beach Resort for $55 a week and paid $1 to paddle a canoe for an hour. An estimated 14,000 picnickers once celebrated the All Valley Picnic on the shores of Liberty Lake with swimming, dancing, races and food.

The museum (Spokane Valley Heritage Museum) includes photos and newspaper articles of the All Valley Picnic, a weathered sign for the Sandy Beach Resort, photos of the lakeside Pavillion and the once-popular carousel. More information needed. I think Sandy Beach Resort/Beach opened 1966 but history of 'anything' prior ??

Liberty Lake played a vital role in recreation for Spokane Valley residents and the City of Spokane. In the early 1900s a lot of people took the train out to the lake to enjoy dancing at the Pavillion or to cool off on the beach.

The All Valley Picnic began in 1922, held at Liberty Lake Park where the former dance pavilion was located over the water. In 1924, an estimated 20,000 people attended the All Valley Picnic to participate in a lineup of games such as a pie-eating contest, sack races, horseshoes and swimming relays. About 9,000 of the picnickers rode the electric railroad in 1924 to Liberty Lake for the event. Later, in 1933, newly elected Washington state Gov. Clarence Martin attended the picnic and addressed the crowd.

The Herschell-Spillman Company built the carousel in 1913 in North Tonawanda, New York. Although the original location of this carousel is unknown, it operated at Liberty Lake, Washington from 1923 until the 1950�s when it was moved from Liberty Lake, Washington to Greenfield Village. (Michigan)


CREDITS: Various 'lost' sources. A contact might be the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum at Liberty Lake..a new organization trying to save some local history...(this author has yet to get to contacting them)