Louis Davenport
Encyclopedia
Llewellyn Marks "Louis" Davenport (ca. 1869 – 1951) was a Spokane, Washington
businessman best known for establishing the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane.
in 1909. He added onto the establishment with more dining rooms, a larger kitchen, and more ballrooms. In 1906, his restaurant was popular enough to garner the following review in the national magazine The Philistine: "The best example of Spokane spirit, crystalized, is Davenport's restaurant... [it] is the best, the most unique and nearest perfect restaurant in America - perhaps the world." That same year a group of businessmen in Spokane had a vision to accommodate the vast number of travelers to the booming Spokane area with a large, grand hotel and asked Louis Davenport to build and oversee it. Davenport agreed and enlisted the aid of famed local architect Kirtland Cutter
to design the hotel adjoining his restaurant. At an estimated cost of $2,000,000, the Davenport Hotel finally opened in August 1914. With its spacious Spanish Renaissance-styled main lobby, Isabella dining hall, Italian Gardens restaurant, Marie Antoinette Ballroom, and ornate Hall of Doges, the Davenport was widely considered one of America's grandest hotels and remained so for many years. Louis Davenport was very particular about his hotel and worked tirelessly the creation and management of his establishment, which was known for its excellent service and elegance at a reasonable rate. Davenport retired and sold his establishment in 1945, but maintained a residence there and died on the eleventh floor of the hotel in 1951. After passing through the hands of many owners over the next three decades, the Davenport Hotel closed in 1985. It was opened again in 2001 under the ownership of local businessman Walt Worthy.
According to local legend and historical time approximately, Davenport is considered by some the creator of the Crab Louis salad.
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
businessman best known for establishing the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane.
Life and career
Llewellyn "Louis" Davenport came to Spokane from Nebraska at the age of twenty in March 1889. He first worked at a restaurant owned by his uncle Elijah, called the Pride of Spokane. It burned down in the great fire of August 1889 and Louis started his own business, called Davenport's Restaurant, three days after the fire with two tents and salvaged furniture. Soon his establishment was one of the most renowned restaurants in the Northwest. Over the years, many celebrities traveled to Spokane and dined at Davenport's, including President William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
in 1909. He added onto the establishment with more dining rooms, a larger kitchen, and more ballrooms. In 1906, his restaurant was popular enough to garner the following review in the national magazine The Philistine: "The best example of Spokane spirit, crystalized, is Davenport's restaurant... [it] is the best, the most unique and nearest perfect restaurant in America - perhaps the world." That same year a group of businessmen in Spokane had a vision to accommodate the vast number of travelers to the booming Spokane area with a large, grand hotel and asked Louis Davenport to build and oversee it. Davenport agreed and enlisted the aid of famed local architect Kirtland Cutter
Kirtland Cutter
Kirtland Kelsey Cutter was a 20th century architect in the Pacific Northwest and California. He was born in East Rockport, Ohio, as the great-grandson of Jared Potter Kirtland. He studied painting and illustration at the Art Students League of New York. At the age of 26 he moved to Spokane,...
to design the hotel adjoining his restaurant. At an estimated cost of $2,000,000, the Davenport Hotel finally opened in August 1914. With its spacious Spanish Renaissance-styled main lobby, Isabella dining hall, Italian Gardens restaurant, Marie Antoinette Ballroom, and ornate Hall of Doges, the Davenport was widely considered one of America's grandest hotels and remained so for many years. Louis Davenport was very particular about his hotel and worked tirelessly the creation and management of his establishment, which was known for its excellent service and elegance at a reasonable rate. Davenport retired and sold his establishment in 1945, but maintained a residence there and died on the eleventh floor of the hotel in 1951. After passing through the hands of many owners over the next three decades, the Davenport Hotel closed in 1985. It was opened again in 2001 under the ownership of local businessman Walt Worthy.
According to local legend and historical time approximately, Davenport is considered by some the creator of the Crab Louis salad.