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In 1805 and 1806, Lewis and Clark blazed a trail through the Walla Walla
region and loved what they saw. Thirty years later, missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
built a mission among the Cayuse Indians near Walla Walla. Since then, "Whitman" has become
one of the most used names in the valley - from Whitman Street to Whitman College. So it makes
sense that in 1927 the people of Walla Walla decided to honor Marcus Whitman by naming their
new hotel after him.
 Area citizens realized they needed a place to hold social gatherings and offer
overnight accommodations for a growing tourist industry. W.W. Baker of local Baker Boyer Bank
convinced Real Estate Improvement Company of Seattle to commit $300,000 to build and operate a
12-story luxury hotel in Walla Walla - if the people in the area could raise $150,000 within
90 days.
Walla Walla rose to the occasion. After only two weeks of selling $100
subscriptions up and down the valley, the excited community had raised the necessary funds -
and in the process became shareholders in the project. A month later the money was in the bank
and construction began in September 1927. Amid much enthusiasm, the Marcus Whitman Hotel
officially opened on September 1, 1928. That first day more than 1,000 meals were served in
the coffee shop and main dining room.
In the early days, Walla Wallans referred to the building simply as
"The Hotel" because there was nothing else like it for hundreds of miles. During the first
half of the century the Georgian Ballroom and Empire Dining Room were the site of important
conventions and meetings. President Dwight D. Eisenhower stayed at the Hotel in 1954 when he
dedicated McNary Dam. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson visited in 1962 during dedication
ceremonies for Ice Harbor Dam.
During the 1970s, '80s and '90s, the Marcus Whitman began to slide into
disrepair. In 1999, Kyle Mussman formed Real Estate Improvement Company
and bought the historic structure. Sharing a community vision with the City and Port of
Walla Walla, they renovated, restored, and expanded the grand old building to provide not
only classic elegance and style, but also cutting-edge technology for twenty-first century
conference needs.
The staff of Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center invites you to become
a part of the Pacific Northwest's best-kept secret.
For hotel reservations call Toll-Free 1-866-826-9422.
Copyright © 2001 Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center.
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