Marcus Whitman Hotel

The Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center is a hotel and historic building located in downtown Walla Walla, Washington. The hotel, colloquially referred to as "The Marc" after the fine-dining restaurant located on the first floor, is the tallest building in the Walla Walla Valley. The building was named for Marcus Whitman and has hosted several U.S. presidents, celebrities, and other notable people.[1] The hotel building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.[2]

Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center
General information
StatusCompleted
Address6 West Rose Street
Walla Walla, Washington, U.S.
Coordinates46°04′04″N 118°20′26″W
Opened1928
Technical details
Floor count13
Website
marcuswhitmanhotel.com

History

The original thirteen-story tower was first planned by architect Sherwood D. Ford in 1927 and constructed shortly thereafter in 1928.[3] President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a patron at the hotel during the week of September 19, 1954, while visiting several dams in Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon, bringing state-wide attention to the hotel. The then governors of Washington and Oregon, Arthur B. Langlie and Paul L. Patterson, also attended the receiving events, including a motorcade and performances by fourteen area school bands.[1] Lyndon B. Johnson, trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and actress Shirley Temple were also patrons of the hotel.[4]

After years of neglect, the hotel was in a state of disrepair and was purchased by a local entrepreneur in 1999, who employed the services of an architectural firm that had restored several other historic buildings.[4] The hotel has since undergone major renovations while still preserving the historic value and integrity of the building. Construction on a new wing of the hotel started in 2000, and the renovations were completed in 2001, adding additional rooms and meeting spaces.[4]

In 2017, following the death of Walla Walla native Adam West, who gained fame for his portrayal of Batman, the bat signal was projected onto the side of the hotel.[5]

Awards

The hotel received the Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Projects from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation following a major renovation in 2002.[6]

The hotel was presented with the 2015 Hotel of the Year Award during the Annual Washington State Wine Awards. The Marc restaurant located in the hotel also received the 2015 Grand Award.[7][8]

References
  1. Eveland, Annie Charnley (May 22, 2018). "President's 1954 visit brings out dignitaries, bands". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  3. Houser, Michael (February 12, 2016). "Sherwood D. Ford". Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  4. Richardson, Kip (August 6, 2001). "Developer helps rundown hotel find new life". Daily Journal of Commerce. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  5. Beck, Kathrine (April 29, 2019). "West, Adam (1928-2017)". HistoryLink. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  6. "Marcus Whitman Hotel: Walla Walla". Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  7. "Walla Walla's Marcus Whitman Hotel: the 2015 Hotel of the Year". Bellingham Alive. February 25, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  8. "Walla Walla's 'The Marc' Restaurant and Vineyard Lounge Awarded Prestigious Wine and Dining Honors" (Press release). The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center. September 18, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
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