In the late 1800’s, gold and silver were discovered in the Inland Northwest. This area is now considered to be one of the most productive and reformed mining districts in North America.

Thanks to James Nettleton Glover, Spokane Falls became a flourishing town by 1880 with stores, hotels, and mills. Spokane is also one of the few cities its size to have had its own stock exchange. The exchange was held in the old Paulsen Building.

Spokane now serves as the hub for the service industries, wholesale, and retail trade. Spokane’s ever-growing financial center and economic development groups are really giving the city shape.

Productive industries have included: construction and mining, manufacturing, transportation, communication and networking utilities, finance, insurance, real estate, health care, and government. Forests in the surrounding areas are responsible for one-quarter of the world's white pine trees. There are almost 30 million acres of profitable forests in the Spokane exchange.