Spokane's Historic Steam Plant

Another great place to see in Spokane (and bring out-of-towners) is Spokane's historic steam plant. It originally heated the city. It's now a restaurant with offices in the upper levels, but the great thing is that during renovations, they kept a lot of the old features of the original steam plant.  This place is amazing on the inside.

I have some photos below, but they just don't do justice.  

 People are welcome to stop in just to have a look around this historic gem without ordering, stay for dinner, or just have drinks.  The restaurant was called "The Steam Plant Grill", but has recently changed to "Stacks."   The menu reflects what looks like some amazing and high end dishes; I hate to report, the cook often falls short, which is a huge bummer.  This place should have the best chef in the city.  Our family still likes to dine there on occasion though.  You can't beat the ambiance, they have a great cesar salad, and a cheese bread to die for on the appetizer menu.  We've learned if we stick with those dishes, we won't be disappointed.Large parties can reserve special secluded seating in one of two original boilers or a larger section near the stacks.

This is an excerpt from one of the websites on it's history:

In 1915, twenty-five years after the Seehorn-Lang building's completion, the Merchants Central Heating Company began to build the Central Steam Plant. In 1916, the steam plant was sold to Spokane, Heat, Light and Power Company. Almost immediately, however, the company suffered large operating losses and was placed in receivership within 2 years. 

In April, 1919, Washington Water Power (WWP) purchased the steam plant, from receivership, to produce steam heat and electrical power. Soon thereafter WWP formed Spokane Central Heating Company. Spokane Central Heating Company operated it independently until 1939 when it became part of the WWP Spokane Division. WWP is now recognized as Avista Corp. 

The steam heat produced from the plant served downtown Spokane until 1986. During its operation, fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas and saw dust were used to produce from 150,000 to 370,000 pounds of steam per hour. In 1986, it was determined that the plant was no longer economically viable, for much of the internal piping needed substantial repair or replacement.

This is the left side of the dinning area, although I've never seen these tables used. The bar and more seating are downstairs, office spaces are upstairs. The big circle hole in the center looks into one of the original boilers, which has now been turned into a private party dinning area.

This is a peak into that old boiler shown above.

Another peak inside the same boiler, from another angle.

This is part of their main seating area.

This is a wishing well, near another main seating area.

This hangs above part of the dinning area.  I believe it originally held the coal, but has now been transformed into a nice looking break room on the inside for the upper level offices.  If you go upstairs to look around, you can see in through a window.   It has a kitchen area and a pool table inside.

This is the second boiler for private parties.

An inside shot of the second boiler.

Guests are welcome into one of the stacks.  

Stop in and see this place, you'll be glad you did.

Info:
159 S Lincoln St, Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 777-3900http://www.steamplantspokane.com/
http://www.steamplantsquare.com/

Parking:
1. Lots of street parking.
2. There is a small garage on the south side of the building, just off the alley for steam plant visitors.  It's free of charge.  This is not a good place for big or wide vehicles.
3.  There is a large pay parking lot on the north side of the building, just on the other side of the train tracks.  Google maps says the address is 144 South Lincoln St., Spokane, Washington.  This may not be the actual address, but if you look it up on google, you'll know what to look for.
4. There is a second large pay parking lot.  Google maps says the address is 138 S. Monroe st, Spokane, WA 99201.  Both lots are convenient and within walking distance.

Ferguson's Cafe - Spokane

We ran across Ferguson's cafe while visiting Mary Lous Milk Bottle (which is next door). While the milk bottle was really neat and great for ice cream, the lunches we all ordered a bit disappointing. So we decided to try Ferguson's, a cute little 50's cafe on our next outing.

Is this something or what?

This is a little cafe that has been here at this location, under different names and ownership since 1941.  It's been in featured in 3 motion pictures:
"Why would I lie?" starring Treat Williams (1980)
"Vision Quest" starring Matthew Modine (1985)
"Benny & Joon" starring Johnny Depp (1993)

I ordered the Philly Cheese-steak at their recommendation.  It's so good, I haven't ordered anything else since, lol.  I highly recommend visiting this place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just the ambiance, you'll really love it.

Ferguson's Cafe

804 W Garland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205

(509) 328-1950

Rohrer's Classic Cars

One of Spokane's fun little spots to visit is Rohrer's Select Cars. We've been here a couple times and the family always loves it.  This is a great place to bring car enthusiast or people visiting from out out of town, and best of all it's free of charge to walk through.

This is a showroom and the cars are for sale; so each time we've visited we see a whole new batch of classic perfection. It seems as though they usually have 20 or more vehicles to see.


View Larger Map

For more information on Rohrers Select Cars:
1126 W 2nd Ave
Spokane, WA ‎
(509) 747-0235

http://www.rohrersselectcars.com/

Honey & Cinnamon

I found this on a facebook post. Although I don't think it is quite the "cure all" it says it is, I do think there is something to this and wanted to save it for reference.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.