KFIO AND ITS SUCCESSORS
The North Central High School Era
KFIO finds its origin at Spokane's North Central High School's Radio Club under the guidance of physics teacher Arthur L. Smith. Beginning as radio station 7YL in 1921 and as KFIO in 1923, students who belonged to the radio club could learn about radio theory and broadcasting. Despite some controversy, technical problems, and a lapsed license, Smith was able to use the station while at North Central to train his students to be radio technicians and broadcasters who went on to work at radio stations in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.
For an in-depth look at North Central High School's part in KFIO's history, please click here.
Station Sold, Moved to Pedicord Hotel
KFIO was sold to the Spokane Broadcasters who then moved the
station's studio and transmitter to the Pedicord Hotel. For a
discussion of KFIO's becoming a full fledged commercial
station (August 1929-1935), please click here.
KFIO as a Commercial Station
Fidelity-Ziegler Building-Sherwood Building Era
KFIO spent about 16 years broadcasting from 1935 to 1951 from
the Fidelity-Ziegler Building and Sherwood Building. The
Fidelity-Ziegler Building was used for the studio, offices, and
transmitter and the antenna was mounted on top of Sherwood
Building's roof. Click here for a look at this part of
KFIO's history.
Fidelity-Ziegler and Sherwood
Buildings
Move to Realty Building
Forced to make room for a new building to replace the Ziegler
Building in early 1952, Louis Wasmer prepared to move KFIO to the
Realty Building. Partners Del Cody (AKA Delbert Bertholf) and D.
Gene Williams bought KSPO later in 1952 and continued to be
involved with KSPO etc for many years to come.
Realty
The Short Life as KLYK
For five years, from 17 June 1957 to 9 July 1962, KLYK
broadcast from the Realty Building. For more details about KLYK,
please click here.
KLYK
Country KSPO 1230
After two years of remaining silent, KSPO returns to the air,
this time as a popular country and western station.
Country KSPO 1230
News Radio KSPO 1230
News Radio KSPO 1230
News Radio KSPO 1230
KKER 1230
- "The Kicker" KKER 1984
KRSS 1230
- "Cross" Radio - August 1985
Business Radio KSBN 1230
Business Radio KSBN 1230
BUSINESS RADIO KSBN 1230
- KSBN 1230 first licensed in 29 April 1991
by Bill Harms - Updated 23 September 2008
