Photo Source:  The Marcus Whitman Hotel, Walla Walla

The Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, Washington is a tribute to Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa who established a mission in Walla Walla in 1836. Built some ninety years later, in 1927, the hotel played host to numerous dignitaries and celebrities, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson, Louie Armstrong and Shirley Temple. But by the 1970’s, the hotel began to slide into disrepair. Then, in 1999, Kyle Mussman, together with the City of Walla Walla, restored and expanded the grand old building to provide not only the classic elegance and style of the 1920’s, but also the cutting-edge technology of today’s conference needs. In 2007, another renovation opened up the third, fourth and fifth floors of the historic tower as guest rooms from what had once been private office space. The 1928 Gift & Wine Shop was added in the spring of 2009.