The Davenport hotel has been world famous since it opened in September of 1914. It was the first hotel with air conditioning, a central vacuum system, housekeeping carts (designed by Louis Davenport himself), accordion ballroom doors and Crab Louis (named for Louis Davenport). Gilded with gold, sparkled by crystal and illuminated throughout with "electroliers," it was as grand as the finest ocean liners of the day. It was truly one of America's exceptional hotels.
History
Mr. Davenport sold his beloved hotel in 1945 and saw it die around him. Mr. Davenport passed away in his suite at the hotel in 1951; his wife Verus passed away in 1967. Each successive owner through the second half of the 20th century took more than they gave to the property. The Davenport Hotel was closed in 1985 and demolition was considered. By the time the Davenport's only son died in 1987, it was generally believed that the Davenport Hotel would be destroyed. A demolition crew determined the entire block could be dropped in 20 seconds but the nightmare of airborne asbestos saved it from implosion. Dismantling and salvage was determined to be too expensive so the hotel remained closed for 15 years.
Local entrepreneurs Walt & Karen Worthy purchased the entire city block for $6.5 million, then spent the next two years of their lives and $38 million of their own money to make The Davenport Hotel grand again. The hotel's public spaces and ballrooms were restored to what they would have looked like when they were new. The hotel's guest floors were taken back to bare concrete and built anew with fresh wiring, plumbing, drywall, furniture and fixtures. The Hall of the Doges, Spokane's oldest and finest ballroom, was removed from the oldest part of the structure and re-installed in the new East addition. The removal was accomplished by lifting the ballroom out intact... making it the only flying ballroom in the world. The Davenport Hotel was re-established in September of 2002 with the ringing of a ship's bell eight times signaling a change of the watch.
Hauntings
There are a number of reports about the Davenport, but one of the more famous is that of a woman dressed in 1920's period clothing who has been sighted by guests. The woman wanders the mezzanine and peers over the railing. She appears to be looking for someone down in the lobby. The spirit may be Mrs. Ellen McNamara. Mrs. McNamara fell to her death through the hotel lobby skylights in 1920. She spoke her final words to a physician that night. Her last words were "Where did I go?" People wonder is she is still seeking an answer to that question.
A security guard at the hotel since 2001, Jacque Hendrix spoke of his own experience. "I got to be able to touch it, taste it or feel it, or it doesn't exist," said Hendrix. One night when he was walking the halls he felt someone or something behind him, so he dropped to the floor "It was like a wave coming towards me," said Hendrix. He said it came towards him, passed, came towards him again and then was gone. After that he left and was done for the night.
Contact Information
(800) 899-1482
(509) 789-7200
