100 years ago in Spokane: Davenport offers the ‘most pretentious entertaining’

The Davenport Hotel was advertising a particularly unusual and elegant daily event: “Our Afternoon Teas and Concerts.”

Every afternoon except Sunday, the Davenport Orchestra, under the direction of Leonardo Brill, “gives a carefully selected concert, including both classical and the more popular numbers.”

The setting was the gorgeous Isabella Room. Tea was served and a “combination lunch” menu was available.

A Davenport ad claimed that “few cities in America the size of Spokane have a daily social and musical function” to match this event.

It was suitable for the “most pretentious entertaining.” Yet it was also so “informal, democratic and economic” that it was also suitable for the “tired shopper or those who would have an intimate visit with friends.”

From the bridge beat: A portion of the Hangman Creek bridge on West Riverside Avenue collapsed, injuring three workmen.

They were tearing down the old bridge when part of the heavy lumber failed. Part of the bridge fell about 7 feet.

All three workmen were treated at the emergency hospital and sent home. They were in good condition and were expected to be back to work within a week.

On this day

(From Associated Press)

1946: The United States exploded a 20-kiloton atomic bomb near Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

1961: Diana, the princess of Wales, was born in Sandringham, England. (She died in a 1997 car crash in Paris at age 36.)