Everybody could use a weekend getaway every now and then in today’s busy world away from their everyday life to recharge and regroup. Luckily for residents in the Spokane community, many places in the area provide such an opportunity. It’s possible to take a weekend getaway camping in our abundant mountains, book a few days at one of our many luxurious hotels downtown, or explore other experiences our beautiful city has to offer. For those looking for a more intimate setting for a getaway, the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast is an option worth considering for its stellar customer service and rich history. A stay here is a step back into the past.
Before the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast was established in 2012, the home was known as the Edward Louis and Dora Powell House. It was named as such because it was built for Spokane’s tenth mayor, serving from 1893 to 1894, and his wife after he was no longer in office. The house was built in a “restrained Queen Anne” style. The designer was then-well-known master architect Loren Rand. Back in the day, he designed many prominent buildings throughout Spokane after the great fire of 1989, such as the Lewis & Clark High School and the Masonic Temple.
The house stayed in the Powell family until the 1950s, and during that time, it saw the birth of the couple’s five children, who were all raised in the home. Once it was sold out of the family in 1953, it was eventually turned into six apartments. The house remained that way until it was purchased by Louie Flores III and Gillian Cranehahn in 2002. Their dream was to restore it to a single-family home, but they had a long way to go since, like many older Victorians in the historic district, it had experienced a lot of wear and tear over the years.
The couple would spend the next ten years renovating the house to its original glory, working with contractors and the Spokane Preservation Advocates to recreate its historic look. Once completed, they placed the home on the National and Spokane Registers of Historic Places to protect it. In late 2012, they opened their doors as the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast with just one suite, but by the end of 2013, they added another suite and a hospitality suite.
Those wanting to spend the night at the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast can choose between either the Rigsby Suite or the Dora Suite. These suites are named after Dora Powell, her daughter and husband, known as the Rigsbys and the last owners of the house before it was converted into apartments.
The Rigsby Suite is the bigger of the two, with a queen bed and a loveseat that folds out as a twin bed for a third additional guest if needed. A wet bar with a wine cooler is also a perk of this suite, along with a bathroom that hosts a seven-foot rain shower with a jet option and heated towel rack for a luxurious bathroom experience.
The Dora Suite houses an antique queen bed in a gently lighted sleeping alcove, and guests staying in this suite can use the additional trundle beds in the adjacent common room if need be. Perks of staying in this suite include classic wingback chairs, a desk, and a reading library. This room also features a fabulous Jacuzzi tub with a hand shower.
The second floor houses the hospitality suite for complimentary use for all guests staying at the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast. It features a DVD library and a mid-century, one-piece kitchenette with a sink, storage pantry, and refrigerator. Of course, there is cutlery, glassware, and paper plates available in the pantry, as well as a wide variety of beverages for guests. There is also a continental breakfast provided each morning.
Besides having a great view of city lights from the suites, the house is conveniently located in the walker-friendly Browne’s Addition neighborhood. It is also only two blocks from the restaurants in the Cannon Circle, three blocks from the Coeur d’Alene Park and only a mile from the heart of downtown. The perfect location is the icing on the cake for a pleasant stay at the 1899 House Bed & Breakfast.
1899 House Bed & Breakfast
1728 West 1st Ave.
Spokane
509.301.1377
