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Recap of 2022 at the Electric Hotel

Did you know the Electric Hotel has a boom with a view?

A dizzying overhead view of the hotel from a boom lift.
A pleasant view of the new roof, rebuilt cornice, and some of the restored windows.

 

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.

A two-part photo of the Hotel Lincoln. The top photo was taken in 2009. The hotel stood empty for many years, and suffered from botched repairs. The bottom photo highlights the new windows, signs, and storefront. Not visible are the extensive structural repairs and upgrades.
2009, 2022 exterior views. Not visible are the extensive structural repairs and upgrades.

 

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.

Poster describing the grant awarded by the National Park Service and US Dept. of the Interior
Grant award from the National Park Service and US Dept. of the Interior

 

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.

Worker toils in the electric trench. Conduit sticks up in several places, the bucket of an excavator rests.
Trenching for the new 800 amp service.

 

Avista, the local electric utility, connects the new power. Two boom trucks with lineworkers work at the same time. It is cold and snowy.
Connecting the new power supply.

 

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.

Electrician stands by the new large commercial electric panel, all tidy and ready to use.
New main electric panel.

 

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.

Damaged floor in the new manager's suite, from the bathtub that was there originally. Large holes looking down into the store.
Bathtub leaks ruined the floor.

 

Repaired floor, all level, pretty, and no longer dangerous.
Floor is repaired, no more store view.

 

Using a powered floor sander, with a dust collection bag, to sand the floors of the manager's suite. There is a strong contrast betweet the old weathered surface, and the beautiful old growth fir underneath.
Sanding the floors of the manager's suite.

 

The floor is finished with a durable clear coat, highlighting the beauty of the fir, which has a dark reddish hue.
Beautiful finished floor, made from salvaged old growth fir boards.

 

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.

Deconstructing the cornice that rims the roof, removing rotten lumber and damaged parts.
Deconstructing the cornice

 

Rebuilding the wooden support framing
Rebuilding the wooden support framing

 

New plywood over the new framing supports
New plywood over the new support

 

Plywood is painted, the cornice reconstruction is complete
Plywood is painted, the cornice reconstruction is complete

 

View of the restored cornice as it appears from below, painted black and very pretty
The pretty painted completed cornice

 

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.

Insulating the storefront and manager's suite
Insulating the storefront and manager's suite

 

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.

Installing drywall in the storefront. Two workers on a tall scaffold drywall the ceiling
Installing drywall in the storefront

 

Priming and painting the storefront
Priming and painting the storefront

 

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.

Julia Jacobsen transforms the new storefront into a fully-stocked store in three days. Clothing, gifts, food, and christmas decorations.
Julia Jacobsen transforms the new storefront into a fully-stocked store in three days

 

The Mercantile is open for business Dec. 22, 2022! View of the exterior at night, highlighting the pretty holiday decorations, including a tall Christmas tree covered with colorful ornaments, and large lighted white stars
The Mercantile is open for business Dec. 22, 2022!

 

The manager suite is done and inspected. We are currently working on next steps to get the rest of the building completed.

Beautiful refinished door, original to the hotel
Beautiful refinished door, original to the hotel. Many original materials were salvaged and re-used.

 

Living are of the manager's suite, showing the beautiful refinished floor, nice lighting, window overlooking the storefront, and the irregular bare patch on the wall showing the original brickwork underneath
Manager's suite living area.

 

Manager suite kitchen. Bright and airy, pendant lights over eat bar, butcher block counter tops
Kitchen in the manager's suite

 

Manager suite bathroom has white subway tile shower with glass door, six-drawer vanity hickory vanity, big white sink, modern comforts that retain the old flavor.
Manager suite bath.

 

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.

hotel in 2009, old windows
2009, old windows

 

hotel in may 2021, new windows
May 2021, restored neon sign, new windows, and refurbished store front

 

new store front windows, May 2021
new store front windows, May 2021

 

new store front windows, new trim and rosettes paint

 

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!

More happening…

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!

 

Scissor lift for storefront work
Scissor lift for storefront work
Contractor Greg Bowman
Contractor Greg Bowman

 

Greg Bowman and crew
Greg Bowman and crew

 

 

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

 

Hotel Storefront, October 2020
Hotel Storefront, October 2020

THANK 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.

Gavin Wagner restoring ghost sign
Gavin Wagner, graphic artist/sign painter

 

Leslie LePere watches ghost sign restoration
Leslie LePere, professional artist and fundraiser

 

Kady Luzny inspects sign restoration
Kady Luzny, photographer and history enthusiast

2018 was busy and eventful. (See Hotel Lincoln 2018 Goals and Update for a review of 2017 and a 2018 forecast.)

  • By the end of summer 2018 the 13 double hung windows were installed, along with the complete rehabilitation and installation of 13 Queen Anne windows. In addition, the 3’x5’ Queen Anne window was rehabbed and installed over the newly restored lobby doors. All of the exterior trims were  finished down to the caulking between the trim and brick.
  • Footings and preparation for stem walls in the storefront were completed, and the storefront structural and framing is the next project on the docket for spring 2019.
  • The vintage "Electric Hotel" sign is being restored and should be back to the hotel this spring. We look forward to the sign lighting up the corner of 3rd and Sherlock once again. It has not been lit up for over 40 years.

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.

removing hotel lincoln neon sign
Removing the neon sign for restoration
Lobby doors before restoration
Lobby doors before restoration
fir and glass lobby door all beat up and weatherd
Interior lobby door before restoration
Lobby doors after restoration, all pretty now
Lobby doors after restoration
Restored interior lobby door, all pretty
Restored interior lobby door
windows all beat up and weathered
East side window before restoration
East side window after restoration
East side window after restoration
South side door before restoration
South side door before restoration
South side door after restoration
South side door after restoration
East side before windows restoration
East side before windows restoration
East side after window restoration
East side after window restoration
christmas tree in window and streetlight
Christmas!

We have completed the restoration of 13 Queen Anne windows plus #14, one very large 5’x3’ Queen Anne window!

windows funded, east and south

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.

  • Install 13 new windows on east and south side
  • Complete the storefront commercial bay including structural work (concrete, steel, framing)
  • Install new windows in storefront
  • Complete the mezzanine area and office space
  • Begin work on the lobby and south end of the Hotel

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.

Harrington Days parade, marching band

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.

Thank You ribbon banner

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.

detail of window frame with handle

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.

The Institute for Washington's Future is continuing to accept donations on behalf of the Hotel Lincoln to replace the building's deteriorated windows. IWF has received enough donations to fund the windows on the street level and storefront on the east side of the building.

The next group of windows to replace are located on the south side of the building. These windows are a priority as they are so fragile and weather-worn, they are boarded up.

If you sponsor an entire window you will receive a brass plate with a personal dedication associated as a thank you. You may also donate any amount (no donation is too small). All donations are tax deductible.

How to donate:
Mail checks to:
Institute for Washington's Future
Window Project
PO Box 143
Harrington, WA 99134

Online you can go to www.theelectrichotel.com and donate via PayPal.

We would like to thank all of the donors who have generously given and continue to support this building that is on the local, state, and National Register of Historic Places.