Miss Spokane:
Elegant Ambassadors and Their City

by Tony and Suzanne Bamonte

Hardcover, (7" x 10"), 352 pages with over 560
photo illustrations, index, published in 2000
 ISBN: 0-9652219-6-2  

$14.95
plus handling charge

Washington State residents pay
9% sales tax

“Miss Spokane” was originally an official city hostess. In 1912 an artist’s drawing of an Indian maiden in traditional dress was chosen as a representation of Spokane and the Inland Northwest, a symbolic goodwill gesture of mutual respect between the Indians and Whites. The two-dimensional image was quickly “brought to life” when 17-year-old Marguerite Motie was selected from 138 entries as the first Miss Spokane. Holding the title for 27 years, she became the most publicized woman in Spokane’s history and one of its most celebrated personalities. In keeping with the original symbol, the city hostesses wore an Indian ceremonial dress in their official capacities and many were inducted into the local tribes. From this unique perspective, view Spokane’s history, customs, fashions and the city’s changing face through the eyes of the official city hostess or Spokane’s representative in the Miss Washington pageant (two separate programs).