On May 4th, 1974, a small, struggling city in the American West defied the odds and became the smallest city to ever host a World's Fair. This bold move set off a chain of events that continue to shape the region today.
Echoes of Expo tells the remarkable story of how Spokane, Washington, turned its crumbling downtown into a vibrant global stage, hosting the first environmentally-themed World's Fair and redefining what these global events could stand for.
Across 7 episodes, we trace the history and impact of Expo, 50 years later: A poisoned river brought back to life, Native traditions reclaimed, and the spark of an environmental movement that would sweep the nation. We examine how stories are lost as old buildings are razed, and how Spokane once found itself at the heart of the Cold War.
Ultimately, this series isn't just about a World's Fair. It's about how a single bold vision - and the courage to pursue it - can transform a community forever.
Expo '74 left an indelible mark on Spokane. In our final episode, we honor the World's Fair's enduring legacy and explore how it continues to shape the city's evolution and future possibilities.
“And King Cole's image of the heart of a city is so important. The downtown is so important. He not only resuscitated the downtown, but arguably he resuscitated the hearts of a lot of folks living in Spokane, feeling that there could be a brighter future, that good things could happen.”
- Bill Youngs, historian, professor, and author of “The Fair and The Falls”
3 Jun 2024
Episode 6: River People
For 10,000 years, the Spokane River has been the lifeblood of the Spokane Tribe. In episode 6, we use Expo ‘74 as a lens to better understand the Tribe’s profound relationship with and commitment to the river, showcasing the unwavering resilience that has sustained their culture for generations.
“If you take nothing else away from today, please understand that the Spokane tribe is a River People. 60 to 65% of our diet, our staff of life, was brought to us from the creator through the river system. And so that's who we were.”
- Warren Seyler, Spokane Tribal citizen and historian
3 Jun 2024
TRAILER Episode 6: River People
Stayed tuned for Episode 6, coming next week!
For 10,000 years, the Spokane River has been the lifeblood of the Spokane Tribe. In episode 6, we use Expo ‘74 as a lens to better understand the Tribe’s profound relationship with and commitment to the river, showcasing the unwavering resilience that has sustained their culture for generations.
“If you take nothing else away from today, please understand that the Spokane tribe is a River People. 60 to 65% of our diet, our staff of life, was brought to us from the creator through the river system. And so that's who we were.”
- Warren Seyler, Spokane Tribal citizen and historian
27 May 2024
Episode 5: Birth of a Movement
Expo ‘74 was a pioneering World’s Fair due in large part to its groundbreaking environmental theme, which channeled the rapidly growing eco-consciousness of the late 1960’s and early ‘70’s. But beyond bold messaging, how did this theme materialize in 1974? Where did the Fair's environmental commitments hit their mark, and in what areas did reality fail to match the rhetoric? And what did this mean for Spokane?
“It's the first time a World's Fair has an environmental theme. It's the first time a World's Fair is not focused on something that's architectural. The architectural theme of the fair is the river, is cleanup, is urban renewal, is kind of restoring back, and there are critiques to that.”
- Anna Harbine, archivist at The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
19 May 2024
Episode 4: Helter Skelter
1974 proved a watershed year for America - the Vietnam War was on its dying breath, the Watergate scandal rocked the nation's faith in government, the Civil Rights Movement raged on, and the Cold War persisted. Episode four zooms out from Spokane to examine how geopolitical dynamics, pivotal national events, and cultural shifts shaped this global Fair.
“Expo 74 opens at this weird time. This is at a period of just rapid and drastic social change. I mean, the seventies are kind of this, to co-opt the Beatles, Helter Skelter period. There's all kinds of things happening.”
- Anna Harbine, archivist at The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
12 May 2024
Episode 3: What Was Lost
The pursuit of progress can be both noble and complex. What was lost and who was forgotten to make way for Expo ’74 and Spokane’s urgent renewal?
“Because the buildings no longer exist, it's harder to see the history of the people who helped Spokane grow and prosper in the early 20th century. It may not have been pretty, but it was an important part of making Spokane what it was then, and therefore, what it is today.”
- Steven Bingo, archivist at Eastern Washington University
4 May 2024
Episode 2: The Little City That Could
How does a relatively small and unassuming city facing economic hardships, defy expectations and host a World’s Fair? Episode 2 chronicles the remarkable journey of King Cole and the small group of locals who persisted against all odds to make it happen.
“At the time that was seen as crazy. Spokane was a very small city. It would've been the smallest city at the time to ever host a World's Fair. And for many it was seen as not doable, not feasible.”
- Anna Harbine, archivist at The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
1 May 2024
Episode 1: Becoming Spokane
As we delve into the origin of and context surrounding the 1974 World’s Fair, or Expo ’74, Spokane’s storied past comes into view. We learn that the story of Spokane is inextricably intertwined with the story of the Spokane River.
“Having the river, harnessing the river, losing the river in that process, having a city, losing the city through expansion into the suburbs, and then somehow with Expo, recovering the river and recovering the city, I think, is an extraordinary story in itself.” - Bill Youngs, historian and author of “Fair and The Falls”
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Contact Echoes of Expo
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Echoes of Expo?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
