IERHS Introduction - Location, Purpose and Mission

Location

The depot, displays and shops of the IERHS are located at the Spokane County Interstate Fairground. The fairground is east of beautiful downtown Spokane and is located at 404 N. Havana, between Sprague Avenue and Broadway. Our display train, headed by a big Union Pacific 4-6-2 steam engine is easy to spot from Havana. Just south of the fairground is the Union Pacific yard and a few blocks north is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe main line. The displays are generally open to the public only during the Spokane Interstate Fair in September. But there is usually someone there during our normal work sessions, Sunday, 9 till 11 or 12 noon.

Purpose

The IERHS, a non-profit corporation in the state of Washington with IRS tax-exempt status, is primarily interested in the preservation of railroad history by word, deed and action. The IERHS is also a member of the National Railway Historical Society.

Mission

The mission of the Inland Empire Railway Historical Society is to preserve railway history by collecting document, artifacts and equipment of historical interest regarding past and present railroads and railroad operations in the Inland Northwest. The society also maintains a repository of documents and books to be used by those conducting research into Inland Northwest railroad history for educational and or publication purposes. The IERHS provides speakers and displays to public and private groups for the presentations regarding Inland Northwest railroad history.