Overview

Established as a railroad section station on the Northern Pacific Railroad, Cheney boomed into existence as the Spokane County seat in 1880. The City of Cheney incorporated in 1883, and though its role as county seat was short-lived, Cheney long served as an agricultural and mercantile hub for the surrounding Palouse and scabland towns and farms. The rotary rod weeder was invented here and manufactured by the Cheney Weeder Company to be shipped all over the country and the world. The most enduring legacy of the pioneers was Eastern Washington University, beginning as the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy in 1882 with a donation from the town's namesake. In 1891, it became Washington's first normal school for the training of teachers. Growing and diversifying, the university now has a student body of over 10,000.

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9781467133487

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Joan Mamanakis grew up in Cheney. Upon returning to her hometown, she discovered her passion for researching and sharing its history. Joan served as the codirector of the Southwest Spokane County Historical Society, which operates the Cheney Historical Museum. Images in this book come from the museum collection and Eastern Washington University Special Collections, among other sources.

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