Reflections By The River: EXPO '74
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- The year was 1974...the U.S. was in the thick of the Cold War; an American president was caught in a web of scandal and intrigue; and a small city in the Pacific Northwest threw a celebration - the whole world attended.
KSPS-TV
www.ksps.org
3911 S. Regal St.
Spokane, WA 99224
800-735-2377
Twenty years later, KSPS Public Television looked back on the accomplishment - on the vision; the people, and the monumental effort that turned a dream into a world - class reality.
Now KSPS is please to again bring you this special 25th Anniversary edition of the story of the little city that could...and did.
I was a policeman at EXPO '74 and met many of the now-gone names that most people would not know...Bob Hope, Liberace, Jack Benny, Olga Korbut, Ricardo Montalban; but most importantly my wife, who was an A&W attendant. 47 years, still together.
47 yrs together ❤. That's awesome!
I was 7yo when my grandparents came over from lobby to treat my family to a day at expo 74. I was too young to realize what a world's fair is, but I'm glad I have blips of memories of spending all there...
One of those memories being my piss aunt being frustrated & snotty twd me bc I couldn't quite comprehend there were ppl from all over the world there in my small-ish city.
We called her piss aunt bc my aunt was only 2 & still in diapers when she became an aunt. (My grandparents had her when gma was 45. Catholics, you see). She was the 6th & last.
Very nice, sir. BTW, I remember all those performers and quite a few more from that era. You are nearing 50 years together now; Congratulations!
I was a policeman at EXPO '70 and met many many international artists. However, sorry but Osaka expo '70 was better than expo '74.
My Mom was an A&W attendant too!!
-I lived in Spokane most of the years from 1969-1984. During Expo, I lived in a small apartment on Monroe and Broadway but the world was my playground. I was fortunate enough to have a season pass so was on the site almost every day. After a few days, I settled in at the Folklife Festival and became a volunteer. Even now as I look back, I still say that the six months I spent at Folklife were the best. I met some wonderful people and received an education about culture and history that would have taken decades. Thank you, Bob Glatzer, for your forbearance.
i WAS THERE WITH MY FAMILY I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SPOKANE AND I REMEMBER THE EXPO VERY WELL I WAS ONLY 9 BUT I'LL NEVER FORGET IT IN FACT LATER ON WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER I KISSED MY FIRST GIRLFRIEND IN RIVERFRONT PARK
I was 14 years old, when our family went the to Expo '74 fair.
It left a lasting impression on me, and I still think fondly of that trip, all these years later.
I would love to visit there again, to see it as it exists today.
I was a couple months short of 12 when my mom and I drove up there from Southern California shortly after the fair opened.😀
My sixth grade teacher was gracious enough to give his okay for my absence but loaded me down with a ton of homework which was more than if I had gone to school, or maybe it just seemed that way.
I had to keep a journal and do a presentation to the class when I got back and I got high praise from the teacher and an A for the journal.
My mom passed away in 1999 but I'll never forget the good times we had and this trip of a lifetime that we took in 1974. 🙂
@@bruce2357 thanks much for sharing your wonderful memories, of that time.
These stories, are golden threads of, the wonderful tapestry of our society.
Best wishes
my grandfather composed the Theme Song for EXPO '74
Mary Griffin That’s cool...Who was he?
@@philschroeder He's my wife's grandfather, actually. #jeananthonygreif
I was 5 in 74. From Nelson BC Canada. 3 hours away. I had family in Spokane so we went there frequently. But everyone from the west Kootenays in BC went to Spokane regularly to go to shopping and just for a short holiday. My family went to Expo 74 many times! The auto boat Speed show, horse races, drag racing. Shopping at " The White Elephant", K-Mart,, North Town mall. Canadian dollars were worth more than USD back then. And there were products that us Canadians couldn't get in Canada. Best thing in my teens was going to concerts at The Colosseum and Joe Albi Stadium! Van Halen, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley, Judas Priest, Def Leppard and on and on! Soooo much fun staying at The Sheriton and partying! Then breakfast at "The Black Knight" . Lunch at " Klinker Daggers". Spokane was a blast!
Thanks for uploading this. The memories brought me to tears. Spokane has never been the same and I'm proud to live in the area.
I moved to ?Spokane in 1975, and stayed for about 4 years. I was happy there each year from April through October, but I was not ever able to acclimate my senses to the weather and Gray skies upon a white background 5 months of the year. That climate is harsh, and the chill of winter is truly felt down to the bones. I’m not a good match for winter, but I did enjoy the majority of other weather phenomena, and I really loved the many lakes in the region for fishing and water skiing...Camping in Northern Idaho was always enjoyable, especially in Priest Lake, where the weather was unpredictable, and when ?Summer storms pop in for a visit, one should remember to keep their car very close by to escape the dangers of the lightning! I’ve considered possibly going back up there to test my memories, yet som3 if the problems that existed then are still a problem today, and the crimes are suddenly increasing at a rapid rate. I am happy to travel about in my retirement, yet there’s still a larger issue of how many people are not accepted due to racial or political issues. This was true in the 70’s as well, and I don’t waste my time in areas where love and acceptance is not equal with gun laws
Priest Lake is were I learned to water ski. Our uncle had a cabin on the lake
You escaped! Most people get stuck in spokane forever. I'm still planning on getting out. You are right about all the issues in spokane. It always bugs me a little when people go on and on about how great spokane is. Notice, some of the best things about spokane are in Idaho. LOL
I have lived here 53 years and not once experienced any of this nonsense you left here 2 years ago,we have extremely mild winters with very little snow! We absolutely do not need to escape thunderstorms,nor is the crime rate unusually high. We have crime,but every city has crime!& we also have upgrades going on regularly downtow,and city wide. If you ask younger people they may say the don't like Spokane. Mostly because they are not old or wise enough to know better,they are a bit daft! The truth is people that leave Spokane often come back to start families, or retire. So don't let the pretend boogie man keep you away. Come visit,relax and enjoy.
BTW, it is also not true that Spokane has a non accepting intolerance. Again just nonsense,step out of the 70's and see for yourself.
My father owned a home on Lake CDA/Bennett Bay, and I remember attending the Expo74 as a boy of 13. I especially liked the Northwest Orient Chinese Junk on the banks of the Spokane river during Expo 74. After Expo 74 I remember seeing it a few times sailing by our house and watching it go by from our dock on Lake CDA. I also remember seeing the Caribbean Steel Drum band playing at the Opera House floating stage. I bought a n LP after their performance. I also remember seeing the Mercedes Benz with the first air bag collision system. Amazing times.
I took turns with good friends from U Dub driving my Camaro all the way from Seattle to Spokane. We had a most enjoyable time visiting several spots without missing the indispensable US Pavilion. What an unforgettable experience!
The world was such a different place, even in the mid 1990's when this documentary was filmed.
Great documentary. I grew up in Spokane and performed at Expo in my brother’s band. My sister performed with “The Carpenters” (as a member of a student All-City Choir) at the Opera House. Exciting times.
Wow! What great memories. Thanks for watching!
I was fortunate to know Mr. King Cole. Amazing, Awesome man.
I mom went to this as part of a church group while living in Bremerton Washington. She thought it was a very cool event and enjoyed her self a lot.
Very peaceful back then 😌 🙏 Went on that train in 1961 at 5 years old
Interesting to watch a 30 year old documentary about an event from 50 years ago. Spokane has really changed. We still visit frequently, but I think the best time for a lot of places was the 90s.
The adults of my childhood. I went to high school with Mr. O"Brien's and Mr. Cole's kids. Great, caring people.
My lovely hometown :-) Thanks for publishing this
Grew up in Spokane during this time. I loved EXPO, thanks for the cool upload, many memories.
Me too, though I was only 11 at the time. In the years after, Riverfront Park was a cheap date and a place we could take the bus downtown to just hang out and goof around.
Wow, I grew up in Spokane through expo. Use to roller skate at Tiffaney's skate rink north of the park across from what was the coliseum and walked across Howard street bridge. Use to sneak into the fair across the riverbed that was shut off on the north side of the island. I was 14 in '74. Cruised Riverside, ran the streets as a teen. Kinda called ourselves the "riversiders"
I was a student at EWSC (Cheney) at the time and went through Spokane alot during the Fair's construction. The thing that I couldn't understand, was how the same State (let alone the same COUNTRY) could get the World's Fair to come to them TWICE within only 12 years......and the cities only being maybe 4 hours away from each other to boot!!!
Spokane would be an ideal place to hold an Olympics too. Lots of space to build just outside of the city. Do you think the powers that be would ever concede to such a proposal? I'm not holding my breath.
My best memory of the fair was the Russian pavilion. They had these fabulously beautiful blond young ladies wearing red outfits. And inside there was no air conditioning. I still have several of the souvenirs I got from there. The movie shown at the American pavilion was also spectacular.
My family danced on the stage anytime they needed a filler no mention there for native Americans
The Lennon Sisters sang and appeared twice at this 1974 fair. And they sang 60 songs, mainly To wait for love, Gentle on my mind, I can't smile without you, But for Love, and Lean on me along them.
My best childhood memory.
I moved to Spokane from Kent Washington, in the summer of 74, many great memories, went to the fair 3 times, best memory was disputing the Ford robot, it gave an incorrect answer to a question , and my mother went to an official of the pavilion and he did his research and found out I was right, I was only 11 years old so I felt pretty good after that, always made sure I was awake at 10pm to see the fireworks every night had a great view from South Hill many happy memories
Pretty amazing. Was absolutely gorgeous looking
Cool time, cool Era . Wish I could've been part of it all...
David remember driving bumper cars at Expo whats no different then driving in Spokane today.
I went to Expo 74 with the Girl Scouts I was 10 😂 we camped 😅Idaho it was awesome 😎
Not much has changed I live here
I still have a hunk of US Pavilion canvas I got when the snows collapsed it later that year!
I had that little rectangle of canvas with the Expo insignia on it for years as well, until I lost it in a move or something. Glad you still have yours!
I went to high school in Coeur d'Alene - Spokane has a special place in my heart . . . and Nixon still sucks 😮😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
I purchased a vhs copy back in 1995. . . . What happened to the music that was originally on this recording??
Shadedmuse was bourne November 20 1974 post expo 74 but went to expo 86 in Vancouver
I love these things, as we were under the bridge heading towards the opera house. red ropes i mean red vines are you really going to lol your awesome lol you really ate it. sweethearts makes red ropes now..
Had my first job there in maintenance cleaning up until I got fired for Eating my lunch in public 😮
I was there in 74.
Smallest city still to ever host a world fair
Spokane, unlike the description above, is not a small city by any means. It does have population of 200,000. Unfortunately, it has a small-town mentality where things aren't in constant change.
Get rid of the Cowles & blighted business band, & we'll have the progress we want. Too many monstervatives, & the libtards are just as inflexible. Otherwise, this could be a paradise!
The theme was Environmentalism! Because tearing up all that rail infrastructure was a brilliant idea!
Hahahaha. My God. " It was very behind the times". Im surprised my computer works here, we are stuck in the 80's now?
Did any one see the giant in native headdress ?
Spokane is still stagnant and urban blight nothing has changed.
Shaded...you do not know what you are talking about.
@@slukky You can gentrify things all you want, but Sprague is still Sprague for instance... unless you want to replace all the hookers with high-class escorts and call girls to match the surroundings? I do agree, the change in arts/music scene is nice, but the railroads were important, especially when it comes to moving people and freight in an economical fashion that reduces pollution. You use the word "our" in that paragraph like you're one of us, like you're from around here, but your entire comment smacks of your attitude and your politics. You are not one of us. You tell people like Shaded Muse to get out? Most of us have slotted into an economic bracket around here in terms of employment and personal budget, and aren't loaded like the goddamn Cowles (the hidden hand that guides economic progress in the downtown core). YOU can afford to get out since you emigrated here from the East Coast, but instead you bastards invade the area after causing economic devastation to the previous region and then blame us for impeding your so-called progress. If we're that much of a nuisance to you , then how about you pack up your shit and take your politics with you? Those of us near enough to the mess refer to it as Spokanistan for a reason.
@@LGTheOneFreeMan Like you aren't all originally from the East, you pinwit. I had nothing to do w/ the demise of the Eastern economy. I live far more frugally than you do, I'll bet. The rails have fallen in importance since the '50s, but then, you wouldn't know that bc you're still stuck there, you shitty bastard you! And you're right; I can leave anytime bc this is America & we have freedom of mobility. Only morons who can't think for themselves see themselves as stuck anywhere. Don't like it here? Move. Really simple, simpleton. We sure don't need your negativity around here. I like this area, so get used to the idea of seeing me champion the best of it. Or leave. Good riddance.
Spokane has large russian community
So dose Seattle
They wasted their time. This city is deplorable thanks to the hell's angels.
What did they do..when did they arrive?
Lol what the hell you talking about 😂😂😅
It's such a shame so much was lost for EXPO '74. Imagine all those buildings on Havermale Island, and the beautiful old train station that was destroyed to make way for this travesty. The old train lines could have been used for public transit nowadays. And it would have looked great there along Spokane Falls Blvd. having those raised train tracks. Every time I see pictures of what Havermale and Canada Island used to look like I sigh. Now it's this big ugly eye sore park. Spokane used to have grit, now it's just this shithole riddled with parking lots and parks.
Constantly tearing down beautiful, unique old Victorian buildings to erect graceless modernist monstrosities, just makes a city look blander and blander, more and more homogenized, even though they're trying to "stand out" and look like a "world class" city. City leaders seem to me to be busy bodies with mediocre tastes, constantly disrupting people's lives and businesses, and wasting millions of dollars, with their constant, pointless "urban renewal". The new buildings being built in Spokane today are boxy, tacky, charmless and monotonously identical. I've never seen corrugated metal used as siding before. The rest looks like plastic and particle board. I know buildings were torn down to put it up, but it's ironic and sad that they tore down the unique old IMax. I attended the fair from rural Western Washington, and that was my favorite memory of it, with its huge screen, that gave the illusion of flight. If you're going to tear an old building down, put up something of equal or better quality. I guess its pointless to complain about it. With today's "leadership", I'm resigned to the probability that Spokane is just going to get shabbier and shabbier, uglier and uglier....
wow 😳
I find this post very odd