Hillyard, established in 1892 as a base for the Great Northern Railroad, maintained independence from Spokane for over three decades. It wasn’t until October 5, 1924, when Hillyard’s needs clashed with Spokane’s rapid growth, that Hillyard was annexed into Spokane, increasing the city’s population by approximately 4,500 residents.

The Great Northern Railroad was strategically placed in the area formerly known as “Wild Horse Prairie” to avoid Spokane’s taxes. The railroad resisted annexation efforts — which started as early as 1905 — to protect its financial advantages. Even after Hillyard was annexed, its facilities remained outside Spokane’s city limits.

In 1924, political unrest in Hillyard led to two annexation votes: in March, voters rejected the measure 600 to 595, and in September, they approved it 808 to 681.

Annexation brought improvements to Hillyard, including fire protection, expanded water services, and updated infrastructure. These advancements addressed many of the town’s long-standing challenges and integrated it more fully into Spokane’s growing urban framework.

Only Hillyard’s main streets, Market and Diamond, kept their original names. Others were renamed to match Spokane’s standardized layout, symbolizing the loss of Hillyard’s independent identity. Despite the official renaming, traces of Hillyard’s past remain. Some of the original street names are still visible today, stamped into concrete sidewalk corners.