Thousands gathered in Riverfront Park to hear George H.W. Bush speak in 1989.
The Lilac City was transformed, sharp shooters perched up high and secret service agents on every corner.
The newly elected 41st president brought with him bipartisanship as he stood with the new Democratic house speaker and Spokane Native Tom Foley. Bush spoke highly of Foley.
"A man of integrity decency, fair play, ok he's a Democrat, but he is a man I am very proud and honored to work with,” Bush told the crowd.
He also talked about the environment. He urged people to recycle and take care of the environment.
"We must protect the environment and we must and will protect the jobs of the men and women of the state of Washington,” Bush said.
Bush topped off his public appearance by planting a tree in Riverfront Park to commemorate the Centennial Trail anniversary.
A visit by such a high profile person would not have been complete at the time without stopping at Spokane’s finest restaurant, the Patsy Clark Mansion.
The historic mansion was purchased and fixed up by the Eymann Allison Hunter Jones law firm in the early 2000's.
There are still remnants of the presidential visit. Bush, Foley and the head of the EPA at the time dined in what is now called the Game Room. The chair the president sat in during dinner was preserved and it has a small plaque with his name on it. The personal check Bush wrote to pay for the dinner was also preserved. The owner at the time never cashed it.
After his visit the menu was even changed. The restaurateurs named a dish after him called the “President’s Steak”.
Just as soon as he touched down he was off again. He looks to have left behind a small piece of American history in the City of Spokane.
"It's such a wonderful part of history for both America and in Spokane,” Jon Neill, a lawyer at Eymann Allison Hunter Jones, said.