09/10/2026
✨TRIVIA THURSDAY✨
For more than a century, McMinnville's hotels have been places of arrival, celebration, entertainment, and community gathering.
As the railroad brought new visitors and opportunities to town, grand hotels rose along downtown streets to welcome travelers from near and far.
One of the earliest was the Cook Hotel, built in 1886 by L. H. Cook. Guests found comfortable rooms, elegant parlors, billiards, and meals served in a bustling dining room. Over the years, the hotel evolved into the Westside Hotel and later the Hotel Yamhill, becoming a familiar gathering place in downtown McMinnville.
Perhaps its most memorable residents arrived in 1899, when proprietor Nathaniel Dubois and his son Joe purchased the hotel. Guests were often greeted by Pie, a talkative white cockatoo known for squawking, "Fire! Fire! Run boys run!" while his companion, Whizzer, a massive St. Bernard, barked enthusiastically nearby. Together, they delighted generations of visitors and local children.
In 1941, another chapter began when the Mattecheck brothers transformed part of the building into the Mack Theater. Families flocked downtown to enjoy movies amid the scent of fresh popcorn and the excitement of seeing the latest films on the big screen. For many residents, the Mack became the backdrop for first dates, family outings, and cherished memories.
Across the street, another landmark was redefining hospitality in McMinnville.
Completed in 1905, Hotel Oregon quickly became the city's premier destination. Guests enjoyed elegant accommodations, a formal dining room, barber shop, cigar store, and ladies' parlor. The hotel expanded in 1910 in anticipation of increased rail traffic, reflecting McMinnville's growing confidence and prosperity.
TRIVIA: What was the building originally named before it was called "Hotel Oregon?"
(Psst...One winner will be selected at random to receive a commemorative Mac150 lapel pin!) Comment below ⬇
