The Lincoln County Courthouse, or "Grand Old Lady" as it is affectionately called by county residents, was struck by arson on December 21, 1995.  Ironically, this was not the first time a major fire has seriously affected the citizens of Davenport, Washington.  A little over 100 years ago, a disastrous fire in a neighboring town was responsible for moving the county seat to its current home.
     The Lincoln County seat and courthouse were originally located in Sprague, Washington.  Although Davenport was the temporary seat in 1883, Sprague was voted the permanent county seat in a controversial 1884 general election -- which some Davenport residents contend was rigged.  For more than ten years, Sprague maintained its coveted position as the seat of Lincoln County, until a fire destroyed the entire town of Sprague on August 3, 1895.  As a result, the Northern Pacific Railroad Company was forced to move its divisional headquarters to Spokane -- and once the railroad left town, barely 400 residents remained.  Consequently, on December 15, 1896, Davenport was named the Lincoln County seat.  "The Grand Old Lady" was erected by Fred Baske the following year.
     The recent 1995 fire damaged much of the original building, but a newly restored structure -- utilizing the existing brick walls and identical in appearance to the original -- emerged from the ashes.  A mere six months after the fire, Davenport observed the completion of the building's exterior, including the cupola.  Sometimes called the "crown jewel" of the courthouse, the cupola resembles a school bell tower and can be seen for miles outside of the town.  Restoration of the interior, as well as the Grand Reopening, will be celebrated on the one-year anniversary of the fire: the twenty-first of this month.