Pradeep Hatcher, Public Information Assistant, No Phone Number Available
Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 10:25 a.m.
Remember that “totem” pole along Northwest Boulevard in the Audubon/Downriver neighborhood? The old pole had to be taken out last year as construction began on a Combined Sewer Overflow Tank (CSO 6), but a new creation is taking its place thanks to a local Boy Scout troop.
The new decorative utility pole is Scout Troop no. 125’s tribute to Spokane, and was just recently installed on the island at “I” Street. The Troop designed, carved, and painted the utility pole, which was donated by Avista. The letters “SPOKANE” are carved into one side of the pole, and various iconic Spokane images and logos are hand-painted on the other side.
Another Scout Troop crafted the original pole as many as 20 to 30 years ago. That pole actually had no ties to the Spokane Tribe or inland tribal heritage in general. There were no symbols or other attributes of historical or tribal significance on that original pole, either. Totem Poles in this part of the country are primarily attributed to coastal and island tribes. The Boy Scouts created the pole as a unique project and designed it out of their own creativity.
Troop no. 125 reached out to that original Scout Troop and intended to restore the original pole, but burn damage on it was too severe to salvage the pole. So, in its place, the new troop created this wonderful new tribute to Spokane. Check it out the next time you’re in the area!
