32: Hotel Washington – 1889, 545 North Market Boulevard

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The four-story Hotel Washington was constructed in 1889, the year Washington became a state, with fronting building facades on Market Boulevard and Pacific Avenue. The Hotel was touted as a prime location to stay in Lewis County because of its proximity to the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot – now the Lewis County Historical Museum. In 1911, John D. Rice, owner of the building, opened the Dream Theatre, converting the spacious ground floor from a too much idle dining room space into a vaudeville house and moving picture theatre. Another part of the ground floor became Rice’s Millinery Shop. The upstairs remained a hostelry for roomers. Years later, the building housed Ben Franklin’s Five & Dime Store, and most recently, Phyl’s Furniture. In the summer of 1997, a tragic fire destroyed the furniture store and the entire third and fourth floors of the Hotel. The building was purchased by Frank and Barbara Mason who were able to save the building from demolition for a parking lot, and restore two of the former four stories, and add a rooftop patio on the third floor. The 1999 Washington State Preservation Award was presented to the Masons by Governor Gary Locke, for the restoration of the historic building. During restoration, the word “theatre” from the Dream Theatre was uncovered and is visible on the brick. It was left as a reminder of the past. Painted advertisements are still visible on the north side of the building.