100 years ago in Spokane: Early RV gets advertising space

The Eldridge Buick Co. of Spokane was advertising a new product, the Warner Tourist Trailer.

Think of it as one of the first RVs.

“New-Born Freedom From This Camp on Wheels,” proclaimed the ad.

A drawing showed a trailer being hauled behind a Buick. At a camping spot, a canvas tent was unfurled around the trailer, making it into an enclosed camp space.

“Every red-blooded motorist enjoys days of real sport in the woods or beside a stream, where outdoor camp life is chock full of happiness,” said the ad. “… This new home-on-wheels provides such extraordinary outdoor comforts, convenience and protection, to lure motorists to pleasure spots where hotel accommodations and the like are wanting.”

From the celebrity beat: Diners at the upstairs dining room at the Davenport Hotel were astonished to discover that their soup and ice cream were being served by the famous movie star Douglas Fairbanks.

Except, of course, it wasn’t Fairbanks. It was Charles McMonagle.

The Spokesman-Review claimed that he was a dead ringer for Fairbanks, with the same features, same smile and same athletic physique as the “whirlwind moving picture star.”

The paper said a “prominent magnate” from the East was in the dining room when he called McMonagle over and said, “If I did not know that I was in a dry state (sober), I’d think I was seeing things.”