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Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 09:54:40 -0700
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Inland Empire and Inland Northwest
Sender: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
Does anyone out there have any information on the following matter:
Our Cataloging Dept. is trying to ascertain the difference between the terms 'Inland Empire' and 'Inland Northwest'. Both refer to the somewhat indeterminate region which comprises NE Washington State (east of the upper Columbia R.), the upper Idaho panhandle, and cis-Rocky Mountain Montana (specifically, the NW portion). Some sources note that the Empire extends into S. British Columbia; the 'borders' seem to expand or contract, depending on the reference. The chief (and only) metropolitan center is Spokane. Various sources, including Edmond Meany's 'Origin of Washington Geographic Names' (1923), certainly acknowledge the name, though it seems not to have much 'legitimacy' in the geographic sense. The San Bernardino region in S. California also uses the term 'Inland Empire'. We cannot find specific information on the origin of either name. It seems an attempt, probably in a commercial light, to give this region an identity. The Northern Pacific railway had an express train called the Empire Builder. As a child I remember that here in Ellensburg, we used to receive Spokane televisions stations, which, as part of their self-promotions, announced that the Inland Empire extended to wherever their broadcast area lay. Eventually the Spokane stations were dropped from the local cable selection, so I assume we 'seceded' from the so-called Empire.
Could the term 'Inland Northwest', which appears to be synonymous with 'Inland Empire', be an attempt to 'de-imperialize' the term?
PS: If Spokane is the capital of the Inland Empire, who, then, is its Emperor or Empress?
Any insights would be appreciated.
Brian
Brian P. Bach
Maps Specialist
Documents/Maps
Central Washington University Library
400 E. 8th Ave.
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
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