Submitted by:
Sister Terence Maureen

I think I was around four or five years old when my mother put me in my brand new dress, and she got into her clothes to go downtown. We took the streetcar. We came to the Davenport. It was a glowing, beautiful scene. The fountain was playing so that you heard the falling water, and there where were colored fish, like Oriental fish, in it. And so we came along to a majestic staircase. I’m holding my mother’s hand as we climbed those steps to the balcony that ran all the way around. I thought it was gold.

    There were all sorts of people coming and going, bellhops were calling out the names: “Mr. Davenport, a letter.” Families were meeting and greeting; it was so much fun. And so beautiful—the happy, laughing voices and music. Sweet fragrances, colors and lights and flowers and just a very beautiful surrounding.

    I remember important events happening at the Davenport. When the Queen of Romania, Marie, came to Spokane, of course she stayed at the Davenport. We went down to see her. There was sort of a balcony that she came out on. When I was in the Davenport myself looking down then I remembered about that spot. She wore a little crown, and we’d never seen a live queen before, so it was really thrilling.

    Then I remember another exciting thing, too, when they held an Indian Tribal meeting in Spokane. It was a great big affair. The Montana Blackfoot Indians stayed at the Davenport Hotel. They had gorgeous feathered headgear. We walked behind some of the Blackfoot Indian women. Oh the women were so gorgeous, too. The Davenport was the place for people to come and for us to see them and for us to share—these kinds of opportunities made the Davenport special.

    We went to one of the many dining rooms the Davenport had at that time. It was the middle of the afternoon. The girl came to take our order. When she came I said I would like mashed potatoes and gravy. My mother said, “Oh no. Don’t you want pie or cake or ice cream?” And the girl said, “The Davenport specializes in getting what people want to have, and we can serve mashed potatoes and gravy 24 hours a day.” She comes back with a tray and a silver bowl with a cover with the mashed potatoes and gravy. It was such a surprising thing, but I was so delighted and enjoyed it thoroughly.