1920
Seattle's Hotel.
In 1922, plans for financing the hotel were formulated by a group of about 400 prominent citizens known as the “Community Hotel Corporation.” A bond drive was organized so that anyone could take part by investing in the venture. Public response to the proposal was tremendous and Seattleites purchased $100 bonds and raised $2.7 million dollars for the hotel. The Seattle Times held a contest with a $50 prize to whoever submitted the best name for the hotel, chosen by the board of the Community Hotel Corporation. 3,906 entries were submitted and one name, submitted in several variations, pleased the committee the most. They settled on The Olympic, for which 11 entries had been submitted and the first submitted won the prize. The hotel officially opened its doors on December 6, 1924 with a grand opening gala that had all of Seattle talking. Lights illuminated the exterior walls and two large spotlights on the hotel roof swept the sky. A one night stay with bath would have cost about $3.50.