Francis Lester Inn Part 3 1970 - 1974

Patsy Clark Mansion, Part 3 of Many

1970 - 1974

"Passing through a series of hands over the years, the mansion began to deteriorate and by the 1970's, it barely escaped demolition" -- (Alexander & Weiser-Alexander, 2010)

22 January 1970

Advertisement

Francis Lester Inn, 1970

Same advertisement, still advertising new owners.  We find out in the future that they were actually new owners, not the Hipps

3 September 1970

Perfect Wedding

Francis Lester Inn, September Perfect Wedding, 1970

13 September 1970

Celebrate Royally

Francis Lester Inn, Celebrate Royally, 1970

1 October 1970

Perfect Wedding

Francis Lester Inn, October Perfect Wedding, 1970

23 October 1970

Sold about a year ago

Spokane Chronicle, Sold about a year ago, 1970

This article starts by describing how the Westminster apartments were sold by the Hipps, who bought the complex in 1955.  Then it says the one sentence "Hipp also sold the Francis Lester Inn about a year ago."  So, this confirms that somewhere after April 1969, the mansion was sold to someone, I don't know the name.  Those ads proclaiming "new owners" was right.  They WERE new.

1971

27 January 1971

Early Day Fashion party

Spokane Chronicle, Early Day Fashion, 1971

Fin-de-Siecle attire in keeping with early-day mansion setting of that period is planned ... at the Francis Lester Inn.

The Inn is the former Patrick Clark home and was built by the millionaire mining man.  It remains much the same in the appearance of the interior and some of the original furnishings are still there.

Fin de Siecle, according to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, simply means "Turn of the Century," literally -- finish of the century.

3 February 1971

Pioneer woman remembers Browne's Addition

Connor, 1971

This article describes this woman's experiences in Spokane.  She graduated from Spokane's only high school, one of 19 students in the third "mid-winter graduation."  Interesting that they graduated in winter, though.  This was in 1901, and when she moved with her family, Spokane was only a village, in 1887.  This Moore family must have been acquainted with the Clark family, as the Moore home was also across from the Coeur d'Alene Park, at W2209 Fourth.  As of 1971 it was still standing.

When the Moores first lived across from Coeur d'Alene Park, she said the park was surrounded by a white picket fence to keep out wandering cattle.  Across the park was the large house built by Patrick Clark, now the Francis Lester Inn.

1972

25 February 1972

Rhea Richards Shipley obituary

Granddaughter of Patsy Clark

Rhea Richards Shipley obituary 1972
Shipley Family 1972

Mrs. John M. Shipley, lifetime resident and daughter and granddaughter of prominent Spokane residents, died unexpectedly yesterday, apparently from a heart attack.

Born in Spokane in 1913 (makes her 59 years old.  She herself was two years old when Patsy Clark died).

Pioneer Stock

Mrs. Shipley was the granddaughter of pioneer settlers, Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Richards and Mr. and Mirs. Patrick Francis Clark.  The Francis Lester Hotel was designed by Kirkland [sic] K. Cutter and built in 1808 for her grandparents, the Clarks.  

Mrs. Shipley is survived by her husand, two daughters, Mrs. Douglas S. (Kay) Dixon and Mrs. Monte (Rhea) Gaunt, both Spokane, four grandchildren and three brothers, Henry M. Richards, Patrick C. Richards and John S. Richards, all of Spokane.

4 June 1972

Small bachelor unit in Coach House

Francis Lester Inn, 1972

1974

31 March 1974

Oriental Rugs

Francis Lester Inn, 1974

9 May 1974

Restored Clark Mansion

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington, 1974

So, it looks here, like it has had some work done to it.  Was it sold again?  If you want a tour, it will cost you $1.50 each.  I wish I could go back in time.

24 May 1974

Clark Mansion not demolished

Spokane Chronicle, 1974

Here's the answer to the question I had just above.  The contractor who was supposed to tear down the mansion had purchased it for himself, and was using it for weddings and receptions.  The last one will be held "tomorrow."  After that, the building will be called "The Clark Mansion" and will finally be open for tours as an historical attraction, Tuesday through Saturday.

The article goes on to describe what we've already covered ... designed by Kirtland Cutter for Patrick Clark, the mining millionaire.  Here's some new information, at least for me.  The mansion "has been used for many things down through the years -- hotel, boarding house, girls' school, restaurant.  For years it has been prominent as a place for wedding receptions."

The stained glass on the stair landing has "more than 4,000 individual pieces of glass.  Tiffany's of New York has told me it's one of the largest residential windows ever made in this country."

Larson and his wife live in the mansion -- "The only reason we can enjoy living there and making it available for tours so that others can enjoy this fine old home is that we have a good income from my other business."

1 July 1974

Clark Mansion tour costs

Newspapers.com, 1974

Somehow this advertisement downloaded without indicating which newspaper it was from.  Silly.

16 September 1974

Formerly Francis Lester Inn

The Clark Mansion, 1974

This ad ran, with minor variations, in 4 June and 6 August.

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Resources

Alexander, D., & Weiser-Alexander, K. (2010, December). Patsy Clark, Mining Magnate & the Haunted Clark Mansion. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from Legends of America: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/wa-patsyclark/

Connor, H. J. (1971, February 3). Pioneer woman remembers Browne's Addition. Retrieved January 2020, from Spokane Chronicle: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1970, January 22). Francis Lester Inn 1970 January 22 advert. Retrieved January 2020, from Spokane Chronicle: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1970, September 3). Francis Lester Inn 1970 September 3 Perfect Wedding Advert. Retrieved January 2020, from Spokane Chronicle: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1970, September 13). Francis Lester Inn 1970 Celebrate Royally advert. Retrieved January 2020, from The Spokesman-Review: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1970, October 1). Frances Lester Inn 1970 October 1 Perfect Wedding advert. Retrieved January 2020, from Spokane Chronicle: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1972, June 4). Francis Lester Inn 1972 Small bachelor unit in Coach House. Retrieved January 2020, from The Spokesman-Review: newspapers.com

Francis Lester Inn. (1974, March 31). Francis Lester Inn 1974 Oriental Rugs. Retrieved January 2020, from The Spokesman-Review: newspapers.com

Newspapers.com. (1977, May 4). Clark Mansion Tour is slated on May 15. Retrieved January 2020, from Newspapers.com: newspapers.com

Spokane Chronicle. (1970, October 23). Francis Lester Inn 1970 sold about a year ago. Retrieved January 2020, from Newspapers.com: newspapers.com

Spokane Chronicle. (1971, January 27). Francis Lester Inn 1971 Early Day Fashions Interest. Retrieved January 2020, from Newspapers.com: Newspapers.com

Spokane Chronicle. (1974, May 24). The Clark Mansion 1974 May 24 not demolished. Retrieved January 2020, from Newspapers.com: newspapers.com

The Clark Mansion. (1974, September 16). The Clark Mansion 1974 September 16 Formerly Francis Lester Inn. Retrieved January 2020, from Spokane Chronicle: newspapers.com

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington. (1977, May 1). Clark Mansion Restored to Original Grandeur. Retrieved January 2020, from Newspapers.com: newspapers.com

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