Biographical Note

Perhaps best know for his civic service as Spokane's first African-American mayor, James E. Chase, along with his equally active wife, Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase, offered years of dedicated service to the Spokane area.

James was born in 1914 and arrived in Spokane by boxcar in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. Starting as a bootblack in a hotel barbershop, nearly 50 years later in 1982, he would be elected Mayor of Spokane by a resounding majority. In the intervening years, he had become a successful business owner, had held high office in Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, had become a leader in the African American community serving several terms as president of the local NAACP chapter, and had participated in a wide range of community activities. Prior to his election as Mayor, he had been elected to the City Council twice. Failing health, however, prevented him from running for reelection, or for higher office, and he died in1987 just two years out of office.

Eleanor E. (Barrow) Chase was from one of Spokane's early African-American pioneer families. Her Grandfather (records indicate he was a freed slave) moved his family to Spokane in 1890 and helped to found Calvary Baptist church. She attended Spokane public schools, graduating from Lewis and Clark in 1937. Regarded as a top scholar and talented singer, Eleanor continued her musical career while at college and graduated from Whitworth in 1941. Leaving Spokane for a professional singing career apparently was considered, however, she chose to marry James Chase in 1942 and to remain in her hometown. Eleanor continued to perform in the Spokane area for many years to considerable local acclaim. In the long-run, however, her civic and professional activities led to greater recognition. She was active in civil rights and held high office in The Eastern Star. Eleanor also had a long career in social work with State agencies and with the Spokane County Courts. In 1979, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Eastern Washington University, a position she held until 1992. Before that time, Eleanor had also served on the Board of Trustees for Whitworth College. In 1992, she was awarded an honorary Masters in Social Work from Eastern Washington University, recognizing both her service to social work and to the university.