Steptoe Butte State of Washington

Date: Circa 1910 Source Type: Postcard Printer, Publisher, Photographer: Unknown Postmark: September 9, 1912, Steptoe, Washington Collection: Steven R. Shook Remark: While this postcard has the appearance of a rather plain composition, there are several items of interest in the image.

In the background is Steptoe Butte. At the top of this Butte is a structure - the Cashup David Hotel. This 66-foot by 66-foot structure was constructed in 1888 for $10,000 by James S. "Cashup" Davis.

Mr. Davis had settled at the base of Steptoe Butte in 1875, where he constructed a house, a large barn, and corrals with the purpose of operating a stage coach stop for travelers going to and from Walla Walla and Spokane. Mr. Davis also opened a general store, which included a extremely popular dance hall on the second floor.

The construction of a railroad through the area in the mid 1880s, however, significantly reduced Davis's inn keeping and livery business. As a result, Davis decided to construct a hotel at the top of Steptoe Butte.

The two story hotel included a 60-foot by 40-foot hall on the first floor with stage and dressing rooms on each side. The upper floor included bedrooms and a dining hall that could accommodate 40 to 50 people.

A 14-foot by 14-foot copula on the roof of the hotel was utilized as a observatory and reading room. A large telescope was also in the observatory, which allowed users to view more than 150 miles away.

On March 11, 1911, at approximately 9:30 pm, the hotel caught fire, the fire being supposedly set by accident by two boys that were smoking.

Newspaper reports state that the flames of the burning hotel could be seen from many miles away, giving the appearance of a volcano. The March 18, 1911, issue of the Tekoa Sentinel reported that "The bright blaze, which lighted up the heavens for many miles around, reached its height about 10:30 p.m. and the fiery spectacle was viewed in silence by the townspeople in Oakesdale."

An active wheat threshing operation is also visible in the distance in the field above the horse and buggy.