The Exchange Tavern in Spanaway has been in continuous operation since 1890.  It is the only remaining business of old Spanaway. Old Spanaway burned in the early 1920's and some said the bucket brigade had its priorities in order when they saved their favorite saloon. The tavern is located on Park Avenue between 161st and 162nd Streets. Park Avenue was called   Pacific Street, then the main street in town, in the early years.  The terminus of the Lake Park

Railway and Improvement Company, located across the street from the tavern allegedly attributed the name "Exchange Tavern". The Exchange was a rough loggers saloon. Its worn wooden floor planks are heavily stippled by the loggers cork boots. A similar pattern was sometimes stamped into a rowdies face when he got out of hand. Justice was swift and direct. The bullet holes in the ceiling and old oak back bar are evidence not of vigilante justice but, rather, of good times. One old timer said; "them boys didn't mean anything, they was just having a little fun."

Rail access made Lake Park (the original old Spanaway) a booming resort town in the early 1900's for well-to-do vacationers from Tacoma. After the national park was established at Mt. Rainier, Spanaway became the jumping off point for motorcades from the rail terminus to the mountain.

    Travelers often enjoyed a refreshing beverage from the conveniently located tavern before departing to and from the park. Special accommodations were arranged for the ladies. An 1886 law prohibited any woman from working in a liquor serving establishment and no lady of breeding would tarnish her reputation by frequenting such establishments. The Exchanges female guests waited in the wine room adjacent to the tavern while their male companions enjoyed a brew. According to legend, the taverns wheelbarrow was routinely employed to transport home the inebriated spouse of a local resident, and sometimes the spouse was the wife. Prohibition came to Washington in 1917, 3 years before the federal law came into effect. The operators of the Exchange hung out a "General Merchandise" sign, added dry goods to the existing pickle and cracker barrels, and kept moonshine and homebrew handy for the regulars until Prohibition was repealed. To the dismay of the male patrons, with the repeal, the ladies declared a sort of liberation and insisted on service in the tavern proper. Some note a general downhill trend since. Now worn mellow with time, the tavern serves a slice of history with each brew.

Drop by and meet the neighbors. Ladies welcome.