Patsy Clark Mansion Part 7.1, 2000-2004

Patsy Clark Mansion Part 7.1 2000-2004

2000

16 January 2000

Millennium Bash

Gregg Jones REal Estate Professionals, 2000)

Looks like a party!  Tour at least 5 of the open houses below and enter to win a $100 gift certificate to Patsy Clark's

24 February 2000

The Clark Mansion has been approved for a license to sell spirits

The Spokesman-Review, 2000)

They originally wanted to have the permit by the Holidays, but we find here that it took about two months longer than they'd expected.

20 October 2000

Former Clark House chef serves it casual

Kelly, Former Clark House chef serves it casual at Everett's, 2000

Everett Fees, formerly of Patsy Clark's, and of The Clark House on Hayden Lake, has opened his own eatery called Everett's on the Lake.  Wonder if he is still there?

According to 2005 Spokesman.com story, Bill Hilbish became the new owner at that time.  When I googled the street-view for that address, it looks like it is the Boathouse Bar & Grill.

26 November 2000

PEO selling afghans featuring area landmarks

Culver, PEO selling afghans featuring area landmarks, 2000)

I tried to get an image of one of these blankets, and to see if I could find any for sale.  Nothing for sale that I've found.  The Washington State chapter of PEO on Facebook was able to help find that image, for which I am very thankful.

Pamphlet describing the afghan
Chapter BO/Spokane, 1999-2000

Image of the afghan itself
Patsy Clark Mansion is in the
upper left corner
Chapter BO/Spokane, 1999-2000

1 December 2000

James Patrick O'Connell obituary, grand-nephew of Patsy Clark

O'Connell, 2000

The obituary for the Grand Nephew of Patsy Clark, and the Grandson of James Clark who was a very successful miner in his own right.  

His mother was Katherine Clark O'Connell

his Grandfather was James Patrick Clark

his Great Grandparents were James and Mary Driscol Clark

He is buried in Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane.  You can visit his Find a Grave memorial here.

2001

Patsy Clark's Restaurant ends

The mansion was then converted into the Francis Lester Inn and finally to Spokane's cherished Patsy Clark's Restaurant from 1982 to 2001.  The restaurant ceased operations in 2001 (Patsy Clark Mansion, n.d.).

27 January 2001

John Richards obituary, grandson of Patsy Clark

Richards Family, 2001

John S. Richards was the grandson of pioneers Patsy Clark and Henry Richards.  He was  merchant marine in WWII.

His parents were Henry and Ella Clark Richards

His grandparents were Patsy and Mary Stack Clark

You can find his Find a Grave memorial here.  

5 July 2001

Barrett a living link to a legend

Clark, Barrett a living link to a legend, 2001

Marnie Clark Barrett is the last surviving grandchild of Patsy Clark.

Her parents were James Blaine and Helen Summers Clark

Her grandparents were, of course Patrick and Mary Stack Clark

Here is what Doug Clark wrote:

On Tuesday evening, Barrett and 33 other Clark descendants and spouses gathered to eat, drink and reminisce at the Browne's Addition restaurant/landmark known to all of Spokane as simply Patsy Clark's Mansion.

It was the first Clark family reunion here since 11 relatives gatherd in 1984.

For Barrett and her relatives, however, the mansion is a living, breathing family heirloom

"These are all the photographs my mom has hanging in her hall," says her daughter Judy Poirier.

Barrett never met Grandpa Patsy, the Irish immigrant who hit it big in the region's mines.  Clark died in 1915, seven years before she was born.

But she recalls childhood visits to the mansion while it was still owned by her grandmother, Mary.  Patsy's widow, who died in 1948, stayed in the sprawling home until she sold it in 1926.

Barrett points to the tapestry in the curved sitting alcove that is part of the gilded French Room.  "See those wall hanging," she says.  "They wee Grandma's."

Barrett loves telling family tales.

One of her favorites involves the birth of Patsy's fifth child.

That made three sons and two daughters, she says, a combination that didn't escape an incurable card player like Patsy.

Donning a pea green hat and pea green coat, the tycoon strutted about downtown Spokane declaring that he finally had drawn "a full house."

Barrett remembers playing with the Clarks' beloved family cook, a Chinese man named Wong.

Another legend circulating the reunion had it that Wong once had some bootleg action going on the side.  When Patsy found out, according to lore, he agreed to look the other way.

So long as he got a little something out of the deal.

You can certainly see the Patsy Clark moxie in Barrett.  

Married to physician Thomas Barrett, she drew her on full house:  three girls and two boys.  Then in 1963, Thomas died.  Barrett found herself a single mom having to raise five kids.

"She had never had a job," says son Tucker.

Unbowed, Barrett started an at-home secretarial service so she could be near her kids.  She later worked in a school district office before turning to real estate.

For Marnie Barrett, a trip back to Spokane's Patsy Clark Mansion is a magical ride down memory lane.

"I remember staying with Grandma in this room when I was 4 or 5 years old," she says, during a tour of the second floor.

A moment later, she spies an old family photograph.  She points to the square-jawed young man who is standing behind a seated Patsy.

"This was my father, Jim.  He was kind of full of hell," 

You can visit her Find a Grave memorial here.

28 September 2001

Everett's On the Lake

Staff, Everett's On the Lake, 2001

2002

Law Firm purchases

In 2002, a law firm purchased the mansion for $2.03 million in order to rescue the landmark from further deterioration (Wikipedia -- Patsy Clark Mansion, 2019).  

The mansion had closed as the upscale Patsy Clark's Restaurant in May 2002 following 20 years of operation as what was likely the most popular special occasion restaurant in the city (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006), and is the new home of Eymann, Allison, Fennessy, Hunter and Jones, P.S. (Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004).

20 January 2002

Patsy's cabaret

Kershner, Patsy's cabaret, 2002

22 February 2002

Developer, urban planner dies, Tony Anderson

Staff, Developer, urban planner dies, Tony Anderson, 2002

Tony Anderson is the one who first bought the mansion with Quinn with the intention of turning it into a restaurant.

24 February 2002

The cabaret life

Kershner, The cabaret life, 2002

29 May 2002

Lights go out at Patsy Clark's

I have to say, this is the part where I get sad.  I was not looking forward to getting to this point in the building's massive story.  I never got to see it.

McDonald, Lights go out at Patsy Clark's, 2002

Spokane's historic Patsy Clark's restaurant has closed its doors for good.

The staff was told of the closure after serving the restarant's popular Sunday brunch.

The Spokane landmark has been the go-to place for showing off Spokane's history, ambience and fine dining.

Guests throughout the years included former President George Bush, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and hundreds of people who went there to celebrate major events in their lives.

Danner, who purchased the struggling restaurant in November 1999, as not yet set a sale price.

The ecoonomy in Spokane was not able to support a restaurant the caliber of Patsy Clark's.  This is something we wanted to maintian forever.

McDonald, Lights go out at Patsy Clark's, 2002

Tables sit idle at Patsy Clark's in Browne's Addition after the historic restaurant closed May.  Photo by Brian Plonka.

McDonald, Lights go out at Patsy Clark's, 2002

Danner lost his partner, Rod Palmer, in December, whish affected his decision to sell the mansion to a degree.

The bottom line was that business was poor and he had to move on.

Patsy Clark's employed about 35 people.  "I need to concentrate my efforts on a business that will be successful."

He's not yet sure whether he will sell the antique furnishings with the mansion, or as separate pieces.  

The Browne's Addition mansion was built when Patsy Clark commissioned Kirtland Cutter.  Clark died 1915.  Through the years, the impressive structure housed a museum and a rooming house called the Francis Lester Inn.

In 1982, Chuck Quinn opened Patsy Clark's Mansion Restaurant.  In 1995, Quinn sold it to three businessmen.  Less than a year later, one of the three Senescall, bought out the other two.  He then sold it to Danner in 1999.

May 2002

It closed as an upscale restaurant in May 2002 (Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004).

1 June 2002

Locals will decide if hotel can make it

Van Allen, 2002

Patsy Clark's and The Davenport Hotel are both historical landmarks that make Spokane unique.

Patsy Clark's is a venture that tried but recently failed.  The restaurant closed its doors last Sunday.  The Davenport Hotel will be opening on July 15 and it will need local support to survive.

Patsy Clark's has long been known as the place people go to make memories.  It was the ultimate special-occasion restaurant.  Its location is also a beloved landmark.

Many factors may have contributed to the restaurant's closure.  The latest owners, however, felt the Spokane economy could not support a restaurant the caliber of Patsy Clark's.

Surely, the people of Spokane hope that Patsy Clark's mansion can ride the neighborhood's upswing and find a new owner.

In short, Jackie Van Allen suggests local folk support your local historic site.

17 July 2002

Letter to Editor, Patsy Clark will be missed

Larsen, 2002

The Patsy Clark Mansion was always a setting of special occasions in our lives.  It was there that I celebrated my 13th birthday with my dad, enjoyed brunch with my family and spent romantic evenings with my husband.  It was a place where you could step into elegant luxury and feel as though you were in another place and time.

I was sad to learn that the mansion, as I had always known it, was closing.  I think many people feel cheated that they were not better informed of the restaurant's financial troubles.  It's the kind of place that you don't go to often, but it is first on your list for that special day.  I think if Spokane had been aware of the possible demise, the community ... would have made it a point to visit more often.

I can only hope that if the mansion changes owners they will not try to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, and give back to Spokane its Patsy Clark's.

I admit it.  I was also shocked just reading about the sudden closure, and this is 18 years in the future.  Unexpected turn of events for me.

29 July 2002

Patsy Clark's mansion for sale

McDonald, Historic Patsy Clark's mansion for sale, 2002

The Patsy Clark Mansion can be yours for $1.5 million.

It is one of seven residential houses listed by the Spokane Real Estate Association with selling prices of more than $1 million.

The listing price does not include the antique furnishings, said owner Monty Danner, who ... closed the Patsy Clark Mansion Restaurant in May, citing poor business.

The mansion is listed for both commercial and residential clients.  It could remain a restuarant, become a home, or even an upscale doctor's office.  The real estate group will also target the movie and music industry.

There will be a lot of interest in the Patsy Clark Mansion.  Everyone wants to see a wonderful property.

12 November 2002

Patsy Clark's asking price reduced

Guilfoil, 2002

Monte Danner started at $1.5 million excluding furnishing.  Now he has dropped the price to $1.25 million with furnishings.  The furnishings alone are worth more than $200,000.  

The real estate agent has had two offers, both are in the ballpark.  Proposed uses include a recording studio, a museum and a private residence.

2003

Restoration and Renovation

Law firm bought the mansion with the express purpose of giving it an "historically correct makeover" (Boggs, 2004).  When the restoration was about 75% complete, the law firm moved in, learning about the building's past from the contractors.  For instance, there are still some electrical units with the Edison Stamp (Klamper, 2007).  Inside and out, things needed hours of repair and restoration due to the damages caused when it was a restaurant.  They brought in consultants and experts to ensure historical acuracy (Video Producers Inc., 2006).

Eymann, Allison, Fennessy, Hunder and Jones, P.S. formed a separate entity called Spokane Civic Group LLC and bought the building for $1 million in February 2003 (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006).  

Modernizations included an accessible ramp on the west side of the building (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006).  The patio on the building's east side was reopened after being boarded up and a new roof's been put on, and a fountain is being built on the lawn below the patio.  Not much is being done to the exterior, except painting and tearing out the driveway, which will be replaced with landscaping and a brick walkway (Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004).

Everything in the kitches was removed, boarded up windows were opened and restored.  All nine fireplaces had damage repaired.  All the woodwork had to be either painstakingly refinished, or replaced with historically accurate duplicates.  The rugs were removed and the hardwood floors were refinished (Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004).  Some of the artifacts were sent away to experts to be cleaned, restored such as the mid-1800s German monastery wall coverings, which were sent to an expert living in Moscow Idaho (Video Producers Inc., 2006).

A new bathroom was built on the first floor, made to match the Irish Room, which will be remembered by diners as the principal dining room (Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004).

An east-facing porch was restored after having been enclosed during the mansion's use as a restaurant from 1982 to 2001 (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006).

Workers went through much of the ornate interior to repair woodwork, lift sagging floors and buff gouges in the hand-stamped Spanish leather that adorns many of the interior walls.  In fact, two large wooden columns were added in the basement to provide support for the center of the mansion, which had sunk more than an inch over the years.  The removed the oak flooring on the sagging second-floor balcony, numbered each piece and then used steel bars to reinforce the balcony before replacing the oak boards (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006).

The lawyers brought in consultants to ensure historical accuracy in everything from pain colour to lighting fixtures (Clouse, Patsy Clark mansion for sale -- to the right buyer, 2019).  Each room in the mansion has its own heating and ventilation unit (Video Producers Inc., @006).  

Pictures and words cannot begin to reveal the minute detail and architectural craftsmanship given this beautifully resored mansion (Patsy Clark Mansion, n.d.).

5 February 2003 Two historic city homes sold Guilfoil, Two historic city homes sold, 2003 Law firm is buying Patsy Clark Mansion in Browne's Addition.  Its current owner, Monte Danner, originally offered the home and several adjacent apartments for $1.5 million.  Last NOvember, he dropped the price to $1.25 million, including furnishings. The firm of Eymann Allison Fennessy Hunter & Jones P.S. is negotiating for the property.  The firm's seven attorneys and nine support staff will use the eclectic three-story residence for law offices.  The new owners also plan to allow local organizations to hold pubic [sic] meetings in the mansion.   We are making a substantial commitment to preserving this Spokane treasure.  We want to ensure that this building is around for decades to come. Guilfoil, Two historic city homes sold, 2003 7 February 2003 Organizers highlighting style that is often overlooked here Wille, Organizers highlighting style that is often overlooked here, 2003 Homes such as the Patsy Clark Mansion exhibit a mixture of styles, which was typical of the period.   Essentially, most old home workshops focused on the 20th century, mostly because the city didn't start until that time.  But there are plenty of Queen Anne style homes, and then there's the eclectic Patsy Clark Mansion. 4 July 2003 Preliminary Design Review for Spokane Register Nomination The Spokesman-Review, 2003 Not sure what this means, but it certainly looks official. 30 August 2003 Legislators to blame for closures Vincent, 2003 The author of this letter to the editor feels that the recent restaurant closures are the fault of the olympia legislators and Spokane Mayoral candidates.  "When they start mandating minimum wages ... this better be a wake-up call!" The closures of Patsy Clark's, ... etc., show there's obviously a direct link to them demanding what a business owner has to pay employees.   He has a lot more to say on this account. 2004 15 July 2004 Patsy Clark's looks like a million Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004 Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004 Boggs, Patsy Clark's looks like a million, 2004 This is the article we quoted from earlier.  New information is that the firm is also planning to arrange for a tour schedule to allow the public access to the mansion. 18 July 2004 Patsy Clark's Mansion is undergoing a $1 million overhaul The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington, 2004 September 2004 In September, the Spokane City-County Historic Landmarks Commission approved a 10-year property tax exemption worth $1.3 million on portions of the project that qualified as historic restoration.  The tax exemption is used as an incentive for preservation (Prager, Historic Patsy Clark's restored, 2006). December 2004 Date Listed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places, December 2004 (City of Spokane, 2005).

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Resources

Boggs, A. (2004, July 15). Patsy Clark's looks like a million . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Chapter BO/Spokane. (1999-2000). Spokane Landmarks Afghan. Retrieved March used with written permission, 2020, from Washington State Chapter P.E.O.: https://www.facebook.com/P.E.O.Washington/?ref=br_rs
Clark, D. (2001, July 5). Barrett a living link to a legend. Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Clouse, T. (2019, November 24). Patsy Clark mansion for sale – to the right buyer. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from The Spokesman-Review: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/nov/24/patsy-clark-mansion-for-sale-to-the-right-buyer/

City of Spokane. (2005, December 2). Patsy Clark Mansion. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from Historic Preservation Department: https://web.archive.org/web/20060709175611/http://www.historicspokane.org/SpokaneRegister/patsyclark.htm
Culver, N. (2000, November 26). PEO selling afghans featuring area landmarks. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Community Update: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Gregg Jones Real Estate Professionals. (2000, January 16). Millennium Bash. Retrieved March 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Guilfoil, M. (2002, November 12). Patsy Clark's asking price reduced . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washngton: Newspapers.com

Guilfoil, M. (2003, February 5). Two historic city homes sold . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com
Kelly, L. (2000, October 20). Former Clark House chef serves it casual at Everett's. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Behind the Menu: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Kershner, J. (2002, January 20). Patsy's cabaret. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Spotlight, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Kershner, J. (2002, February 24). The cabaret life. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Spotlight, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Klamper, A. (2007, July 10). Attorney learns history on the job . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Larsen, K. (2002, June 17). Letter to Editor Patsy Clark will be missed. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

McDonald, R. (2002, May 29). Lights go out at Patsy Clark's. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

McDonald, R. (2002, July 29). Historic Patsy Clark's mansion for sale . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

O'Connell, Family. (2000, December 1). James Patrick O'Connell obituary, grand-nephew of Patsy Clark. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Obituaries: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Patsy Clark Mansion. (n.d.). Patsy Clark Mansion. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from Patsy Clark Mansion: https://www.patsyclarks.com/

Prager, M. (2006, November 10). Historic Patsy Clark's restored . (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Richards Family. (2001, January 27). John Richards 2001 obituary, grandson of Patsy Clark. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Staff. (2001, September 28). Everett's On the Lake. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Staff. (2002, February 22). Developer, urban planner dies, Tony Anderson. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Obituaries, The SpokesmanReview, Spokane, Washington: Newspapers.com

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington. (2000, February 24). The Clark Mansion LLC has been approved for a license to sell spirits. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 24, 2020, from newspapers.com: Newspapers.com

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington. (2003, June 4). Preliminary Design Review for Spokane Register Nomination. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from newspapers.com: Newspapers.com

The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington. (2004, July 18). Patsy Clark's Mansion is undergoing a $1 million overhaul. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved January 25, 2020, from newspapers.com: Newspapers.com
Van Allen, J. (2002, June 01). Locals will decide if hotel can make it. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Our View, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com

Video Producers Inc. (2006). Patsy Clark Mansion. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from HauntedHouses.com: https://web.archive.org/web/20070928151335/http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/wa/patsy_clark_mansion.cfm

Vincent, R. (2003, September 30). Legislators to blame for closures. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Letters, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com
Wikipedia -- Patsy Clark Mansion. (2019, February 28). Patsy Clark Mansion. Retrieved December 13, 2019, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patsy_Clark_Mansion

Wille, C. (2003, February 7). Organizers highlighting style that is often overlooked here. (Ancestry.com) Retrieved March 2020, from Workshop, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane Washington: Newspapers.com
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