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Walla Walla History
Walla Walla Travel Tip
Courtesy Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce
Substantial and Stunning, Walla Walla's Architecture is Rich in History
Walla Walla's historic main street buildings and nearby historic homes are
rich examples of America s architectural history. Visitors to downtown
stroll though history as they walk down East Main (the original Main Street
since the 1840s) in the heart of Walla Walla with guide book in hand and
learn the stories behind the town s business buildings. For example, the
Reynolds-Day Building, now home to Falkenberg's Jewelers, was built in 1874
and is one of the oldest buildings on Main Street. There, in 1878, early
politicians held Washington s first State Constitutional Convention. One of
the most unusual buildings on Main Street, the Liberty Theatre, was restored
and remodeled in 1991 by the Bon Marche department store. The restored
exterior is white painted brick with an A-frame roof and gargoyles. The
lobby of the theatre still exists, and the original concession stand is now
a coffee and sandwich shop.
Walla Walla's neighborhoods are dotted with period homes ranging from an
1859 log cabin, to mansions, to the Stone-Jacky House modeled after plans by
famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors can take a self-guided driving
tour of these historic homes. One of the homes, the 1884 Governor Moore
Mansion, is owned by a rock musician and his wife, who have restored the
home. This Painted Lady is a Victorian style house in bright coral, with
green, yellow, rust, white and periwinkle accents. The exterior of the home
is asymmetrical, with lots of interesting details, brackets, spindle work
and more. Visitors can see log homes at the Fort Walla Walla Museum, where
actors in period costume reenact the daily lives of early settlers.
Information about the downtown walking tour and Walla Walla's historic homes
can be found through the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce, www.wallawalla.org
or 877-998-4748.
After Touring Historic Architecture, Sleep at a Historic Hotel
Today's luxuries in a vintage setting are found at the Marcus Whitman Hotel
and Conference Center, newly reopened after a multi-million-dollar
renovation. The hotel, which first opened in 1928, has hosted many historic
meetings. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Lyndon Johnson
have been among its guests.
For more information, call 509-525-2200 or visit
www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com.
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