Over Age 65 Health Plans

Oct. 10, 1805, arrival of explorers Lewis and Clark to our area kicked off the dedication ceremonies. The re-enactment was held on the banks of the Snake River, and the welcoming party left the hotel for the river with a band in the lead. Next in line were 150 Nez Perce Native Americans, including world champion rodeo rider Jackson Sundown. Also in the procession were: Miss Lewiston, Elizabeth Thompson (daughter of Lewiston’s mayor); the mayor; the governors of Idaho and Washington; representatives of women’s clubs, civic and fraternal orders; school children; and students and faculty from the Lewiston Normal School (now Lewis-Clark State College).

When the procession reached the river, the pageant began as costumed “explorers” were greeted. Miss Lewiston presented Sacajawea (impersonated by Miss Elizabeth Skillern) keys to the Lewis-Clark Hotel and to the city of Lewiston. Sacajawea threw the keys into the Snake River, saying she knew the doors of the new hotel and of Lewiston would always be open to guests so the keys weren’t needed. The parade was a visual chronological history of our area. Leading off were mounted Nez Perce, followed by the explorers, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Sacajawea. Next came Native Americans seeking missionaries, the arrival of Rev. Henry Spalding, and then the discovery of gold. Chinese miners were followed by a float of the Colonel Wright, the first steamboat which came to Lewiston. Next up were the forefathers who named Lewiston, followed by a stagecoach, a covered wagon and a pack train of mules.

Parade floats included the old Luna House Hotel with a model of the new Lewis-Clark Hotel and another showing the arrival of the railroad. A history of the fire department, a “magnificent and beautiful” horn of plenty float and the 40-member Spokane Elks band were the other entrants. The parade started at the Court House and traveled west, ending at the beautiful new Lewis-Clark Hotel. If you love a parade, you missed a great one by being born too late.

Entertainment at the events held at the hotel during the festivities included the opening ensemble, “Hello, Lewis and Clark” led by the Davenport Hotel Singers from Spokane, and the Nez Perce scalp dance by nine young lady dancers accompanied by Nez Perce Indians in full native costume playing tom-toms. The Dokkies band played a concert on the lawn, while “maidenly nymphs”