McGrath Cafe and Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McGrath Cafe and Hotel (The McGrath)
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The McGrath
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, Washington |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1922 |
| Built by | William Blaisdell; Herb Johnson |
| Architect | Stuart & Wheatley |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000089 |
| Added to NRHP | February 21, 2002 |
The McGrath Cafe and Hotel, often called The McGrath, is a cool old building in North Bend, Washington. It was built way back in 1922. Because it's so important to history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's a special place worth protecting! The McGrath is also part of the historic downtown area of King County, Washington.
Contents
Discovering The McGrath's Design
The McGrath building has two floors. It is made from wood and concrete. The main part is about 60 feet wide and 75 feet long. There's also an extra part at the back.
Spanish Style Architecture
The outside of the building looks like Spanish style. It was covered in a special plaster called stucco. This stucco was painted a nice earthy yellow color.
Fun Features Inside
When it was super popular, The McGrath had about 45 rooms. It also had a big brick fireplace. There was a tavern, two cafes, and a dining room. A dance floor was a fun place for people to move. There was even a 16-foot-long soda fountain! This soda fountain was a favorite spot for local teenagers. An old ad from 1923 told parents: "If your daughter or son is dancing at McGrath's in the evening we want to assure you that they are in as good environment as when at home."
Cool Signs and Additions
In 1938, a new banquet room was added. This was a big room for parties and events. Over the years, Jack McGrath put up many cool signs. In 1948, The McGrath had a huge 20-foot-tall neon sign! It said "North Bend's Famous McGrath's Cafe." This giant sign sat on top of the roof.
The McGrath's Story: From Cafe to Hotel
The story of The McGrath begins with Jack McGrath. He came to Seattle from England when he was a baby. For many years, he managed cafes and hotels in different places. Then, Jack and his wife, Merrill, moved to North Bend.
Starting a Business in North Bend
Their first cafe in North Bend burned down. But Jack didn't give up! He bought two empty lots and decided to rebuild. McGrath's Cafe was built in 1922. It was right on Washington's first car route over the Cascade Mountains. This was a perfect spot to feed hungry travelers.
Adding a Hotel for Travelers
As more and more people traveled by car, Jack McGrath added a hotel. The second floor became hotel rooms in 1926. He wanted it ready "in time for the early spring travelers." The architects who designed the hotel were B. Dudley Stuart and Arthur Wheatley. Jack McGrath sold the cafe and hotel in 1944. The new owners kept running it as The McGrath Cafe and Hotel for seven more years.
Bringing The McGrath Back to Life
Over the years, the building had several different owners. Then, Susan and Dale Sherman bought the hotel. They spent 16 months making it new again! They used old photos to make sure it looked just like it used to.
Awards and New Beginnings
In 2002, Susan and Dale Sherman won an award. It was the John D. Spellman Award for their amazing work. This award was for bringing the McGrath Hotel back to its original beauty. After the restoration, the building became Robertiello's Ristorante Italiano. The old hotel rooms were used as offices. Later, the building became Boxley's Jazz Club.
The McGrath Today
In 2014, the owners of Boxley's Jazz Club gave the building to The Boxley Music Fund. This is a non-profit group that helps music. Today, the historic McGrath building is home to the Iron Duck Public House.
