Sitting on 707 W. 2nd Avenue the Doran Building was constructed in 1920 by Spokane architect Arthur Cowley. The building served as a car dealership during the peak of Spokane's automobile purchases selling models such as Hudsons and Packards.

John Doran opened his business in 1914 just as automobiles were remaking American society. He sold such early models as the Essex, the Packard, and the Hudson. The Hudson had a more powerful engine at a cheaper price than competitors such as Ford's Model T. Doran died during appendix surgery in 1927 and was replaced by William Twohy.

The Great Depression hit auto sales hard, and the Doran company went from selling new cars to selling used cars to working on cars as an autobody shop. It retained the last use through most of the 20th century.

Today the building houses DCI Engineers, a Seattle based engineering company. The brick building has been painted to match the owner's logo, but still holds on to its character. The large window, meant to display Hudsons and Packards, tells a story of Spokane automotive history.

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George Roley Dodson established what would become one of the oldest retail stores in Washington state.

The pioneers of early Spokane did not live on bread alone. The rough frontier boomtown of the 1880s hosted luxury businesses as well, including Dodson's Jewelers.

George Dodson arrived in Spokan Falls in 1888 after his long journey from Illinois. He and partner Daniel Wetzel opened Wetzel and Dodson Jewelers. Their thriving business burnt to the ground in the Great Fire of 1889, but they quickly reopened.

Dodson Jewelers was the choice jewelry store of prominent Spokane figures such as Kirtland Cutter and Mrs. A.B. Campbell. But Dodson wanted to make his store the choice for everyone, making the store motto a "Store for Everybody".

The business continued to be a Spokane institution, passing ownership from family member to family member. After World War II Dodson's occupied a 3000 sq. ft. store with 60 employees in four locations. The family business went hand in hand with the growth of the city itself, becoming the longest-running business in Spokane.

Sadly after 131 successful years in the heart of Spokane, Dodson's closed its doors in 2019.

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