The Podcast: Hotel High Life

History of the Hotel Leopold (Part 2)

Postcard for the Hotel Leopold, Bellingham Washington from the 1940s.  Appears to be a tinted photograph or drawing from a photo showing the view up Cornwall Avenue showcasing the buildings that made up the hotel at that time.

Summary

In this episode we cover the REST of the history of the fabulous Hotel Leopold! Beginning with the roaring 20s, we cover famous and infamous guests, the rival hotels, the new additions and tear-downs, and much more. It’s extra long, so buckle up! This is part 2, so be sure to give part 1 a listen if you haven’t already. We appreciate your patience on this episode’s delayed release - we had some technical difficulties and had to re-record and edit this entire episode 😭

NOTE we do not receive any money or sponsorships, all endorsements of businesses or products herein are given of our own volition. We just like to recommend things we love. All opinions are our own!


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Slideshow

 
 
 

References and Resources

“Old Hotels of the Bellingham Bay Cities” E. Rosamond Ellis Van Miert (Available at the Bellingham Public Library)

The Bellingham Herald and other newspapers accessed with subscription at newspapers.com

CHECK IT OUT

The Hotel Leo

Winds of Chance (1925) Featuring scenes filmed on Lummi Island

Seattle Historian Brad Holden’s Books on Alfred Hubbard and Prohibition in Washington

Call of the Wild (1935) Featuring scenes filmed at Heather Meadows, Mount Baker

Marian Anderson at the Lincoln Memorial (1939)

Betty Hall Jones: This Joint’s Too Hip for Me 

Chestnut Collection: Go Forth  (Leopold song) 

Related Episodes: 

Leopold’s Ghost Discusses early history of hotel property

BellingHairstory Discusses Jessie Lee’s Manx Salon (was in the Leopold)

Spring Festivals in Bellingham Discusses Bellingham’s Tulip Town decade

Bathing Beaches of Bham Part 2 Includes the story of the Taylors involved in 1921 lobby shoot-out

Gettin’ Wrecked Part 1 Discusses Frank Wright of Lummi Island cannery

Sanitarium Insanity Part 1 Discusses the long-time spa in the Leopold - The Sanitarium Baths

Upcoming Events:

END OF PROHIBITION PARTY at BOUNDARY BAY - THURSDAY DECEMBER 5th

HOLIDAY HISTORY HI-JINKS at the SPARK MUSEUM - FRIDAY DECEMBER 13th

THE BELLINGHISTORY SHOW with the GOOD TIME GIRLS at the MOUNT BAKER THEATER - FRIDAY JANUARY 31st AND FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2025



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The Podcast: Leopold’s Ghost