Restoration of the historic Hotel Lincoln in Harrington, WA, USA
GABE RUTLEDGE LIVE AT THE ELECTRIC HOTEL!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2025
109 SOUTH 3RD STREET @ THE ELECTRIC HOTEL
Select from two showtimes. All tickets are $30 for early birds,
and $35 at the door if available.
SEATING IS LIMITED!
Click to purchase your tickets here:
6:00 PM show (DOORS AT 5:00 PM)
8:30 PM show (DOORS AT 7:45 PM)
Recap of 2022 at the Electric Hotel
Did you know the Electric Hotel has a boom with a view?
On May 3, 2023, we received a preservation award for the work on the Lincoln from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). Several other preservation projects were recognized at a ceremony in Olympia, WA. What does this mean? It means the restoration of the Lincoln Hotel is recognized as an important preservation effort in the community and state of Washington.
The year 2022 will long be remembered as the shortest year. So much happened during this time. Looking back, in May of 2021, we were awarded the Third Places Grant from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. This grant was used to electrify the Electric Hotel.
With the matching funds we provided, we were able to get a new 800 amp underground service, and wiring to the storefront and manager's suite. The new service is more than ample for the rest of the project as we move forward. In December, 2021 the trenching was done and by January, 2022 Avista installed a new transformer and service to the building.
M&M Harrison Electric started work in January 2022, getting the necessary outdoor boxes and indoor panels installed. This was at a time when our supply chain was affected, but fortunately, M&M was able to procure the necessary parts to get everything going.
Our contractor, Rory Barbre, was instrumental in organizing everything and kept the project rolling at a good pace. He had completed framing in the storefront and manager suite so the electricians, HVAC, and plumbing contractors were all able to get their work done. By March, 2022 all of the rough-in utilities were done.
On weekends, Jerry worked diligently repairing wood floors in the manager suite along with many other jobs that needed to be done. The timing worked to re-finish the wood floors in the manager suite, so Rory got to work on that with some help from us. Once that was done, everything had to be covered on the floors to prepare for drywall.
The month of May 2022, Rory began the work of restoring the decorative metal cornice. Jerry took time off work to help, but this was a monumental task. This involved the following: remove old wood and tin, rebuild structure and deteriorated elements, repoint/relay brick as needed, replace old planking with plywood, attach metal roof material, flashing, seal and the top was done. Now for the underside, the part you can look up and see. Rory power-washed the whole thing, primed it, then painted it. He was done with the last spray of paint at 1:55pm, July 5th, 2022.
In June 2022 it was time to insulate the storefront and managers suite, and after searching and calling around, it was determined that we were going to have to do it ourselves. Thank goodness Rocco Dotson was game to help with this project. Rory, Rocco, and I completed installation just in time for drywall.
Top Notch Drywall was our contractor and they did an excellent job. By August primer and paint were getting done, along with plaster repair, cleanup, and finish elements.
September –November 2022 we worked and focused on the storefront mostly to get that ready for our tenant. December is an important month for retail so we worked hard to finish that space first. We were done by Dec. 5th, with a couple of details left to be done, but the space was finished, inspected, and occupiable. Our tenant, Julia Jacobsen, began moving in December 5th, 2022 and it was nothing short of a miracle what transformed in 3 short days. She did a pop up holiday event and it was magic. She officially opened the Mercantile in Harrington March 1st, 2023 and we are so excited for her future in this restored space.
The manager suite is done and inspected. We are currently working on next steps to get the rest of the building completed.
We could not have achieved this without the efforts of many awesome people. I made a list. You are all on it.
THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to Greg Bowman and Jerry Allen for installing these beautiful windows in the storefront of the Hotel. The windows were donated by Scott and Debbie Hutsell and the Spokane Preservation Advocates. Again, we could not do this without the help of great folks like you!
A look back helps to see how much ground we have covered in the restoration of this beautiful, historic building. Photo 1 is from 2009 when we started the project. Photo 2 is from April 2021.
You make a difference.
2020 was a great year for the Hotel Lincoln. In February the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation awarded three grants to rural projects in Washington State. The Hotel Lincoln was fortunate to be one of those chosen for the Preserving Washington Works fund. The grant award was for $70,000 to be used to complete the structural steel work in the north 1/3 of the building. This important work completes the structural retrofit and helps to bridge the gap to financing finishing this area and create two spaces: a managers quarters, and a retail storefront. The work started in July and was completed in September. Steel was placed and secured in the storefront area and the mezzanine to finish strengthening and stabilizing the building. Additionally, windows were restored and installed for these spaces. The exterior decorative cornice on the building was cleaned and stabilized as part of the grant work. It will be repaired and painted in the spring. We are grateful for the grant and what it accomplished!
So much more going on that is a positive move forward! Local artist and retired farmer, Leslie LePere, raised funds to restore five local ghost signs. The Hotel Lincoln has two and they were both restored through this funding by artist and farmer, Gavin Wagner. Ghost signs are an art form meant to draw attention to a business or product. With this fresh look, the Hotel Lincoln is turning heads proving the signs work! Add the vintage neon “Electric Hotel” sign and you can’t pass without looking or stopping. Mr. LePere was a vital part of connecting us with our contractor, restoring the ghost signs, assisting with tools, restoring the steel beam above the storefront with eye catching color, and often times supplied lunch for us while we were working. The friendship and support from Les and many others, is priceless.
The buck did not stop there…we were very enthusiastic about engaging a local contractor to do the structural work. Greg Bowman, U&I Remodeling, Inc. and his crew did a great job safely, on time and within budget. This allowed for some additional work to be done that was written in the grant as “in-kind” which we planned to do ourselves as part of the required match. They were able to rough-in the storefront facade! At the end of the project, the Hotel Lincoln has all of the windows purchased for the storefront, beautiful new fir doors for the front and a new door for the back. This was more than we could have hoped for. It was a great summer/fall, and we continue to work towards the complete restoration of the building.
Our sincere appreciation goes out to you for your support and assistance in our project. We could not have done it without you!
The Hotel Lincoln, along with two other buildings in Harrington's Historic downtown, received funding to restore ghost signs. There was a lot of work and effort that went into organizing and executing this project. A huge "thank you" to Leslie LePere for raising the funds, Gavin Wagner for doing the restoration, and for the generosity of the donors. Once again, you make a difference.
Ghost signs are an art form and deserve to be preserved and used for the intended purpose, to get your attention! The Hotel Lincoln has a second ghost sign on the north side of the building that will be restored later this year.
The old sign has been in place since it was installed, but was so decrepit nobody noticed it. They will notice the new sign, with great colors for day and night!
2018 was busy and eventful. (See Hotel Lincoln 2018 Goals and Update for a review of 2017 and a 2018 forecast.)
Institute for Washington’s Future will continue to support our window fundraising efforts as we still have over 40 windows to replace. We appreciate all of the generous donations that were given to the project last year. Thank you! Your generous contributions make a difference.
See what your help funding these beautiful, energy-efficient windows has accomplished!
We have completed the restoration of 13 Queen Anne windows plus #14, one very large 5’x3’ Queen Anne window!
We are focusing on the installation of the 13 double-hung windows that boast a Queen Anne window over each of them. These windows are on order and should be here in mid-February. Installation will follow after they arrive.
As we complete the structural work in the storefront and get the framing done, windows will be ordered and installed in the new face of the commercial space. Our next goal for window replacement will be the north side, lower and mezzanine levels.
The initial idea for Hotel Lincoln was to complete the restoration of the entire building and open it for business. This idea had to be reinvented due to the past economy. Nobody wants to hear the problem, just the solution. On the drawing board is a plan to phase this project beginning with the main level first.
We have been fortunate to have The Institute for Washington’s Future assisting us, and the many donors who have sponsored the window replacement project. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation for those generous people who support our project not only with funding, but with kind words, or assistance volunteering with physical work.
WE APPRECIATE YOU!!! You make a difference.
We welcome hearing from you so please contact us if you have any questions.
A Look at 2017
Last year went fast! Our fiscal sponsor, The Institute for Washington’s Future, received donations from some very generous people who care about historic preservation, small town economic development, and restoration. By the end of 2017, Hotel Lincoln had enough sponsorship for windows to purchase 24 windows! We could not be more thankful for the generosity of the donors! Thank you to all who contributed.
New Biz on the Block
Heather & Justin Slack beautifully restored the historic Post Office and opened a coffee shop, The Post & Office. Plaskon has opened The Wild Hair Salon at the historic Studebaker Garage.
The Chamber
The Harrington Chamber of Commerce has been busy! They led many activities over the past year that have contributed to the cohesive unification of citizens and civic groups in town. They are continuing this work and moving full speed ahead! Thank you Harrington Chamber of Commerce!
The Sandlot
Speaking of The Harrington Chamber of Commerce, one of their goals this year is to begin developing the empty lot in the center of town. A group was formed to work on this task. This includes seeking funds and designs for the empty lot. The end purpose is for community and visitor use.
We look forward to what this group brings to life and how it will benefit the business district in the future.
We will continue to send out updates periodically on the progress of the Hotel Lincoln project and other relevant news.
WINDOW UPDATE: Our first phase of fundraising for the Hotel Lincoln Window Replacement Project is happily and thankfully complete. Twenty-four out of the seventy-one windows are funded total.
A large donation by a very generous donor was received last week and the four windows on the south street level of the building are now sponsored!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Our first window order was placed this week and we are more than just a little excited about it. We will continue our fundraising efforts, and wish to thank everyone who donated to this amazing historic building project.
