Category: Spokane in 1901

Some of the fun research I’ve uncovered while writing my mystery novel and researching Spokane, Washington in 1901.

Thanksgiving in 1901 Spokane

Thanksgiving in 1901 Spokane

One of the best resources I discovered for describing life in Spokane in 1901 was the Dear Mother collection of letters. Marinus Crommelin of Amsterdam wrote home during his visit to Spokane 1901-1902. His letters were compiled and translated by a relative into Dear Mother. This week I wanted to highlight some of Marinus’s impressions …

+ Read More

Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries Historical Research

Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries Historical Research

Author Patricia Meredith shares a little about the historical research that went into writing the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries. The first book, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, a new historical mystery, is available everywhere books are sold in whatever format you prefer! For a complete list of newspaper clippings outlining the building of the Spokane clock tower, …

+ Read More

Spokesman-Review Newspapers that Inspired Events in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries

Spokesman-Review Newspapers that Inspired Events in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries

The Spokesman-Review and The Chronicle were the main newspapers of 1901 Spokane. Both were owned by William H. Cowles by 1901, who moved them all into the Review Building, which can still be visited today.  As I may have mentioned before, I love traveling down the rabbit holes of researching history, and the best place …

+ Read More

The Campbell House

The Campbell House

And how it inspired the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries. It all began with a door. On my first tour of the Campbell House, back in 2017, the docent pointed out this simplistic door, saying it was a wood chute for the groundskeeper. He would chop wood or have it ordered in, and then deliver the …

+ Read More

News Clippings: Clock Tower

News Clippings: Clock Tower

Below I’ve collected a series of clipped newspaper articles referencing the timeline of the building of the Great Northern Railroad Depot and its iconic clock tower, which heavily influenced the events that unfold in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, beginning with the first book, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker. The clock tower is the basis for …

+ Read More

Interview on KREM 2 News!

Interview on KREM 2 News!

I was interviewed by KREM 2 News! View the interview here and follow me on YouTube! This is my debut historical mystery, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, the first in the Spokane Clock Tower Mysteries, set in Gilded Age Spokane. It’s 1901 and Archie Prescot has traveled across the country to Spokane, Washington to design the now …

+ Read More

Spokesman-Review Women’s Column Newspaper Clippings Circa 1901

Spokesman-Review Women’s Column Newspaper Clippings Circa 1901

For my book, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, I loved researching historical clothing circa 1901 in which to clothe my men and women. But let’s be honest: the women are always more fun for the variety! When it came to first-hand accounts, I was greatly inspired by the Women’s Column of the Spokesman-Review. Below you’ll find …

+ Read More

Historical Characters in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker

Historical Characters in Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker

One of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction is getting the chance to set a story where my characters can have chance encounters with real people from history. In my book Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker, although I’ve invented all the primary characters, I’ve sprinkled the story with cameos from some of the most well-known, …

+ Read More

Escapades of a Spokane Thief

Escapades of a Spokane Thief

This short story actually began life as the prologue to my book Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Taker. I thought it’d be fun to share with you this fun little adventure that started things off. What makes this story even more fun, in my opinion, is that it was inspired by a real article from The Spokane …

+ Read More