09/04/2026
When the Historic Davenport Hotel opened its doors in Spokane, Washington, in 1914, it was hailed as a masterpiece of American hospitality. Stars like John Wayne, Amelia Earhart, and Charles Lindbergh walked these halls. But the reputation of this hotel goes beyond its great hospitality and star power.
For more than a century, guests have reported experiences they couldn't explain: phantom footsteps, doors opening on windless nights, and sightings of figures in period clothing that vanish into thin air. Today, we’re stepping inside the Davenport to uncover the truth behind Spokane's most famous hauntings.
In This Video:
The Lady of the Mezzanine (Ellen McNamara): On August 17, 1920, a wealthy 68-year-old widow from New York named Ellen McNamara was staying at the Davenport while touring the west with her sister and cousins. Before leaving for Glacier National Park, she misstepped during the dinner hour and plunged through an upper skylight toward the floor below. Decades after her death, staff and guests report seeing a woman in classic 1920s fashion standing along the mezzanine rail, peering over the edge before fading away.
Louis Davenport: The hotel's legendary founder lived in a private apartment on the 11th floor until his death in 1951. Guests staying on the upper floors report seeing a distinguished gentleman in a vintage suit rushing down corridors, greeting passersby before stepping into non-existent stairwells or vanishing through closed doors. Others report unexplained door knocking, light switches toggling, and the smell of cigar smoke in non-smoking suites.
Poltergeist Activity & Unseen Presence: Hotel workers have felt doors opening for no reason, felt cold spots, seen shadows dart past open doors, and heard faint music echoing from closed event halls late at night.
Whether you come to the Historic Davenport Hotel, just remember: this Spokane icon holds many secrets of this city. Have you ever stayed at the Davenport, or experienced something unexplained in a historic hotel? Let us know in the comments below.
