Before Spokane was founded in 1873, the Spokane First Nations lived along the Spokane and Columbia rivers, relying on these waterways for fishing and gathering. Their lives changed dramatically as white settlers arrived, leading to conflicts and establishing a much-reduced reservation in 1881.

Spokane's growth was mainly driven by the power of the Spokane River's falls, which provided electricity and attracted settlers. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1881 further boosted the city's expansion, transforming it into a major hub for mining, timber, and agriculture.

The 1880s marked a period of prosperity and a building boom for Spokane. However, on August 4, 1889, a devastating fire swept through the city, destroying much of downtown. Spokane was quickly rebuilt with durable brick and stone structures, and by 1900, the city's population had reached nearly 40,000. As construction expanded, the city grew to 37 square miles by 1907.

The power of the falls continued to drive Spokane's development, making it one of the largest cities between Minneapolis and Seattle. Today, Spokane's history is preserved in its architecture, with much of downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting the city's resilience and enduring significance.

One such building is The Review Building, which houses the offices of the Spokesman-Review, Spokane’s principal newspaper. One of the tallest buildings in Spokane, its tower rises above the main roofs of the Paulsen Medical and Dental Building and the Old National Bank Building. Since its construction, it has been one of the most conspicuous buildings in town. Architect Chauncey B. Seaton designed it to fit the irregular shape of the lot.

In 1893, W. H. Cowles gained total control of the paper and then also acquired the competing newspaper, the Spokane Daily Chronicle, in 1897. In its early days, the Review Building housed the Review on the upper floors and the Chronicle until, due to overcrowding, it relocated to its own building in 1921.

Both papers maintained editorial independence until the 1980s, when ad sales were consolidated. Today, the Chronicle is a daily digital newspaper, preserving its historical significance. Cowles’ family continues to own and operate the Spokesman-Review, contributing significantly to the city's civic life.

Though the building wasn’t yet complete during Karl’s visit, he was featured in The Spokane Chronicle on October 23, 1899.

The article was titled “Ride Around the World” with a subheader: Has Already Crossed the Continent on His Wheel.

“Yes, I am $5 ahead of the world and have come 4,719 miles so you see I am having good luck”. So says Karl Creelman, a young man who is on a journey around the world on his wheel.

Mr. Creelman arrived in town later Saturday night and intends to leave this afternoon for Seattle, from whence he will make for Vancouver and then sail for Japan. He has been on the road a little over five months and during that time he has had all kinds of experiences. Twice in Minnesota he was held up by tramps but both times he explained that he was going around the world and so they let him go.

As a way of explanation of his trip, Mr. Creelman said:

“I just started for the education there was in the trip. I will get nothing out of it except the experience and that is a good deal. I had three cents when I started, but I gave them away so that I might start even.”

“Do you find much trouble in making your way?” he was asked.

“No not much. I have nearly always had a good bed and meals come pretty regular. I have had some very tough times though, getting lost. The last time I was lost was up here near Rossburg, when I got over 25 miles off the road on a little trail so small that I had to carry my wheel.”

“Will you work any of the time?”

“No, not unless I have to. When I get to the coast I may have to work a little while, but I don’t pay my expenses on board the boat. There are too many ways to go over. I will stow-away before I pay”.

Mr. Creelman lives in Truro, Nova Scotia and since leaving there he has gone in a very round-about-way. He came west by way of New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Michigan, North Dakota, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, touching Nelson, Rossland, Colville and then landing in Spokane. Altogether he has travelled over 4,719 miles, walking about 600 in places where wheeling was impossible.

From here he will go to Seattle and thence to Vancouver, whence he will sail for Japan. After crossing Japan on his wheel he will proceed to Shanghai, and thence to Hong Kong, where he will take a ship for Manila. From Manila he intends to sail to Australia and New Zealand by way of Borneo, and after riding across the Australasian continent, his next objective point is Cape Town. Then comes the most ambitious part of his journey, which is nothing less than a proposal to proceed overland direct to Khartoum.

Mr. Creelman says he is getting used to the difficulties in his path. “I do not know one day, what I will do the next,” he said. “But I will get there. It may take three or four years, but I won't be any the worse off when I get back.”

He is a member of the Y.M.C.A and is the guest of the association in the city. He will lose no time on weekdays, but refuses to ride on Sundays.

He expects to ride the same wheel all through the journey, but will have to get a new set of tires on the coast. The make he has selected for the trip is the Brantford Redbird, which was presented to him by the manufacturers.

He likes Spokane very much and all the western towns.

“I noticed the difference right away as soon as I got to Chicago,” said Mr. Creelman, as he related his experiences. “The people are so much different. Everybody has a smile and a good word. This is especially true in Spokane and Chicago. There is very little difference in the two cities except their size. Spokane is the Chicago of the west.”