The Olympic Club Hotel, also known as McMenamins Olympic Club,[1] is a historic hotel owned by McMenamins Pubs & Breweries in Centralia, Washington, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Olympic Club Saloon | |
 The Olympic Club Hotel | |
  Olympic Club Hotel | |
| Location | 112 N. Tower St, Centralia, Washington |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 46°43′00″N 122°57′14″W / 46.71667°N 122.95389°W |
| Built | 1908 |
| Website | McMenamins Olympic Club |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004006 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 1980 |
History
editBuilt in 1908,[a] the Olympic Club Hotel was originally known as the Oxford Hotel[3] and contained a bar and pool hall. The club was severely damaged in a fire in 1913 but was rebuilt.[2] Notorious train robber Roy Gardner, known as the "Gentleman Bandit",[1] was re-captured at the then-Oxford Hotel after escaping federal custody in 1921.[4]
The historic location was purchased by the McMenamin brothers, acquiring the property in 1996 and reopening the Olympic Club the following year; McMenamins was added to the Olympic Club moniker to reflect the new ownership. The club was remodeled in 2002 with the addition of a movie theater; the entirety of the venue, including the bar, hotel, and dining area were combined under the McMenamins Olympic Club name.[2]
Architecture and features
editThe Olympic Club accommodates a bar and restaurant within a pool hall setting that contains original, vintage decor. The mahogany bar is decorated with original Tiffany stained glass lamps[2] and is host to two antique cash registers. The mixed use dining and pool hall area contains the original Olympic Club pool tables, restored during the 2002 remodel. The site also hosts a private Green Room, an outdoor patio, and a brewery.[2]
The location also includes a brewpub movie house, known as the Olympic Club Theater, which was once a clothing store and billiards room. The theater is decorated with a tin ceiling, velvet couches, and various forms of art including photos of notorious guests. Film showings are free for guests. and food and drink service is provided during screenings.[1]
The hotel portion of the Olympic Club, located above the bar and dining area, was once used as a brothel and contains 27 "European-style" rooms, going without such modern amenites as telephones or televisions. Each room is named after historic visitors or prior employees of great contribution. The basement is suspected to have been used for bootlegging and may contain tunnels leading to the nearby historic Centralia Union Depot.[2]
The Olympic Club hosts musical acts as part of the McMenamin chain's "Great Northwest Music Tour," mostly consisting of bands from the Portland, Oregon area.[citation needed]
Significance
editThe original portion of the Olympic Club, as it existed at the time, was added to the NRHP in 1980.[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Moira Macdonald; Bethany Jean Clement (May 21, 2024). "A charming Centralia day trip with our film and food critics". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tomtas, Justyna (January 20, 2017). "'Business of the Year:' Chamber of Commerce Honors Olympic Club". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- ^ "A History of the Olympic Club". McMenamins. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
- ^ Duane Colt Denfeld, Roy Gardner, king of escape artists, flees McNeil Island Penitentiary on September 5, 1921, HistoryLink essay number 9792, December 29, 2011. Accessed online 2012-09-05.
