Louis Davenport

Llewellyn "Louis" Davenport (b. circa 1869 – d. 1951) was a Spokane, Washington businessman best know for establishing the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane, Washington. Louis first started his business by running one of the most renowned restaurants in the Northwest, "Davenport's Restaurant". Over the years, many celebrities traveled to Spokane including President Taft in 1909. Louis added onto the establishment with more dining rooms, a larger kitchen, and more ballrooms. In 1906, a group of businessmen in Spokane had a vision to accommodate the vast number of travelers to the booming Spokane area with a large, grand hotel. Opening in 1914, the Davenport Hotel was the grandest hotel in the Northwest at the time. It was considered "One of America's Grand Hotels". Mr. Davenport was very particular with his hotel and he put his soul into the creation and management of his establishment. The hotel was known for service beyond compare and elegance at a very reasonable rate. Louis Davenport was known as a very kind man that would cater to every guests' needs and expected perfection from his staff. His innovations for the hotel proved positive and the hotel was one of the most advanced of its time. In his older years, he finally sold the hotel in 1945. The hotel then steadily went downhill because of poor management due to the lack of attention to detail, caring, and respect for the traveler. Louis Davenport was saddened to see his hotel in such dismay. He died in his apartment on the 11th floor of the hotel in 1951. It finally closed in 1985, but reopened with glory again in 2001.

According to staff presently at the hotel, Mr. Davenport invented the Crab Louis.