William C. Gray Papers, 1884-1916
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Gray, William C., 1845-1926
- Title
- William C. Gray Papers
- Dates
- 1884-1916 (inclusive)18841916
- Quantity
- 1 in. and 1 v.
- Collection Number
- MsSC 217
- Summary
- Hotelkeeper and investor, of Spokane, Wash. Account book of California House, a Spokane, Wash., hotel owned by Gray, including charges on guest accounts, notes, and itemized billing for services and special meals; together with records (1891-1916) of one of Gray's mining interests, Silver Crown Mining, Milling & Smelting Co., including correspondence, legal records, agreements, and financial documents.
- Repository
-
Eastern Washington State Historical Society (Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture)
2316 W. First Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
archives@northwestmuseum.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is not restricted.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
Nolan, Edward W. A Guide to the Manuscript Collections in the Eastern Washington State Historical Society (Spokane, WA: Eastern Washington State Historical Society, 1987).
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
William C. Gray arrived in Spokane Falls, W.T. in 1878 from Redding, CA. In 1878-1879 he built and began to operate the California House, which became one of the city’s largest hotels. It burned in the fire of 1889. Gray was also interested in the development of railroads and mining, and made profitable investments in both railroad and mining stocks. He was a city council member in 1881.
Content Description
The collection includes a small account book for the California House, which lists charges on guest accounts, occasional notes, and sometimes itemized billing for services or special meals. There are also records of one of Gray’s mining ventures, The Silver Crown, 1891-1916, including correspondence, legal records and agreements, and some financial documents.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Publication RightsCopyright has not been assigned to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Museum Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher
Preferred Citation
William C. Gray Papers (MsSC 217), Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA.
Administrative Information
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Hotels--Washington (State)
- Investments--Washington (State)
- Mines and mineral resources--Washington (State)
Personal Names
- Gray, William C., 1845-1926--Archives
Corporate Names
- California House (Spokane, Wash.)
- Silver Crown Mining, Milling & Smelting Co. (Spokane, Wash.)
Geographical Names
- Spokane (Wash.)--Business, industries, and trades--Hotels, taverns, etc.
- Spokane (Wash.)--Mines, mining, and mineral resources
- Washington (State)--Business, industries, and trades--Hotels, taverns, etc.
- Washington (State)--Mines, mining, and mineral resources
Occupations
- Capitalists and financiers--Washington (State)
- Hotelkeepers--Washington (State)
