Guide to the Frank C. Bailey Photographs
circa 1880-1896

Biographical Note

Frank Clinton Bailey (also known as F.C. Bailey, Frank C. Bailey and listed as A.C. Bailey in some publications) probably started working as a photographer in Spokane, Washington, around 1880. Prior to setting up his own studio, he worked as a photographer and crayon artist at the E.E. Bertrand photo studio (owned by the photographer of the same name, who was also known as Edward E. Bertrand and E. Edison Bertrand) from at least 1888 until 1890 in Spokane. After 1890, he lived and worked at his own photo studio at 714 ½ Riverside Ave. in Spokane until about 1896. Bailey likely sold his business after 1896. He appears to have continued to live in Spokane for the next few years working as a retoucher at the Maxwell Photo Co. and then in mining. In 1903, Bailey set up the Bailey Studio in Spokane, which offered photography services as well as crayon and ink work. This studio was in operation until around 1907. After 1907, Bailey apparently dedicated his professional career entirely to the field of mining and continued to live in Spokane into the 1920s.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of photographs depicting Spokane, Spokane Falls, the Spokane River and the surrounding Spokane area. All photographs were apparently made in the 1880s and 1890s.

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open to the public.

Historical Background

The city of Spokane was first known as Spokan Falls (without the “e”) when it was incorporated as a city of 350 residents in 1881. The name comes from the Spokane tribe and means “Children of the Sun.” The “e” was added to the name in 1883. In 1889, a fire destroyed 32 blocks of the downtown area, which were rebuilt and reincorporated under the present name of "Spokane" around 1890-1891.

The Spokane River, one hundred miles in length, originates in Coeur d’Alene Lake in northern Idaho. It flows west across the Washington state line through Spokane on its way to the Columbia River, north of the town of Davenport.

Acquisition Info

Source: [Harder, 2 photographs, 1979?]; item 7, Fairlook Antiques, May 31, 2005.

Processing Info

Processed by Linda Corets, 2005, and Solveig Ekenes, 2006.

Inventory

Date

1

Spokane Falls

circa 1880

2

Spokane River and Spokane Falls

circa 1890-1896

3

Spokane Falls

circa 1890-1896

4-5

Upper Falls of the Spokane River

circa 1890-1896

6

Spokane High School

circa 1890-1896

The high school was built in 1890 and destroyed by fire in 1910.

7

The Rookery Building on the corner of Riverside and Howard Blvd Ave

circa 1890-1896

The building has a business called The White House at ground level.

Subject Terms

Organizations:

Spokane High School.

Geographic Names:

Spokane (Wash.)--Photographs.

Spokane Falls (Wash. : Waterfall)--Photographs.

Spokane River (Idaho and Wash.)--Photographs.

Subjects:

High schools--Washington (State)--Spokane--Photographs.

Rivers--Washington (State)--Spokane--Photographs.

Waterfalls--Washington (State)--Spokane--Photographs.