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Why we were Organized
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On March 25, 1916 H.B. De Long, E.K. Kiemle, George Libby Jr., S.H. Wentworth, and F.U. Mc Coskrie met as the Board of Trustees of the Manito Pistol and Rifle Club to submit their agreement to associate themselves with the intention of forming a corporation under the name – Manito Pistol and Rifle Club.
Our Articles of Incorporation have been amended since then. In 1969 - one amendment changed the name of the Corporation to the “Spokane Rifle Club.”
Other amendments about our purpose were minor – and remain principally the same as written in 1916.
As originally filed with the State of Washington - our purpose is to:
- To promote and encourage the art and practice of rifle shooting, and to develop training and skill in the use of firearms.
- To buy, own, lease, rent, or hold such real estate or property as may be suited to the practice of rifle shooting, or other kinds of firearms.
- To bring together and develop fellowship, and to promote a closer union and cooperation among men and women interested in, or desiring to become proficient in, rifle shooting or the use of firearms, and to possess the grounds, ranges, and equipment best suited to that accomplishment.
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This picture is from the Spokesman Review. The caption states our club area was known at one time as the Old Smelter Rifle Range.
A search in the Northwest Room of our downtown Library revealed this:
In January of 1917 the Northwest Mining Truth – a mining paper – headlined “Electrolyte Zinc Plant for Spokane,” Reporting that the Anaconda Copper Co. will erect a reduction works at either the Old Spokane Smelter site or at Long Lake.
At that time (1917) the Spokane-Western Power & Traction Co held title to the downriver smelting site. The site was reported to be “five miles below the city on the Spokane river.”
Originally developed by a Mr. Henry Clifford – the smelter is a part of our early history in the city. He acquired enough venture capital to begin construction of a smelter. It was to service the Colville and Coeur d’Alene mining districts. Construction started in 1890 and was completed in 1891. A railroad existed from the site into the city.
The great panic of 1893 was the smelter’s downfall - in addition to what is assumed to have been interference by biased railroad commissions. Regardless – there existed a smelter somewhere in the vicinity of the club grounds.
Exactly where - and the rest of the story - will require more research.
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Spokane Rifle Club: On March 25, 1916 our first members met as the Board of Trustees of the Manito Pistol and Rifle Club to and submitted their agreement to associate themselves with the intention of forming a corporation under the name – Manito Pistol and Rifle Club.
In 1924 the members voted and changed their name to the Spokane Rifle Club.
On March 1, 1929 the Spokane Rifle Club received a lease in perpetuity from the Spokane Valley and Power Company for the “right to occupy and use for target range and club purposes.”
Members used this area before receiving the lease. For example - the minutes from Jan 1925 mention the meeting was “held in the Club House on the old smelter grounds.”
Eventually this land as well as all land on the east side of the river was transferred to Washington State – now Riverside State Park.
We are inside the State Park. We are also inside the city limits of Spokane. The Spokane Rifle Club retains authority and responsibility for the buildings, the grounds and their use; done in cooperation with Riverside State Park and the City of Spokane. We are responsible for Public Safety due to our range activities.
A majority of our membership is from the greater Spokane area. Our ranges are available for public use every Friday and Saturday. Our By Laws determine how we govern ourselves – each new member receives a copy. The Board of Directors determines policy and controls use of facilities. Members are responsible for the safe use of all ranges. Range Safety Officers assist members and public to this end.
We continue to provide Spokane the location and safe range to enjoy our shooting traditions.
| Before at the Indoor Range | Now with the fence |
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Before along the parkway | Now just below the parkway |
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