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“This photo is from the men’s room in the Davenport Hotel in Spokane,” writes UOTD tipper Tim. “I managed to hide myself between the mirrors as to not be juxtaposed with the urinals. The Davenport was built in 1914 and completely restored in 2002. It was long the social and commercial center for the city, attracting traveling people of all sorts, foreign royalty and celebrities included. Teddy Roosevelt, JFK, LBJ, and Richard Nixon are among the guests. Also Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart. I was in Spokane visiting my partner’s family and being a tourist. I live in Portland and had never visited Spokane. I was impressed!”

The Davenport also played host to a certain state legislator.

Nominate a noteworthy urinal by sending a picture and a few sentences about the urinal to urinals@thestranger.com.

15 replies on “Urinal of the Day: Spokane, WA”

  1. I actually recognized this one! It’s on the mezzanine. The urinals are actually arranged in a wide U-shape along the walls of a sort of alcove. I think there are 8 altogether, although it’s really not comfortable for more than 3 or 4 at a time.

    The other fancy thing about this men’s room is that all the toilet stalls are actual tiny rooms with real walls & doors that go all the way from floor to ceiling. No worrying if someone is going to be able to identify you from your shoes if you have an embarrassing explosive episode on the toilet. I’ve never had sex in one, although I have changed clothes in one before. (I’m sure it’s been done – they’d be perfect.)

  7. Good Lord– I was born in Spokane and often went to the Davenport Hotel for various events, meals, etc as a kid into Freshman in High School–what I remember about the Hotel besides being elegant at that time (1943-into mid 50´s) is they had a fire in the fireplace (lobby) and it never went out– also my best friend Gary W´s father owned the concession at the side entrance that sold newspapers, magazines, candies etc.– he was a wonderful man and he was fully blind. The Onion Soup in the dining room was a big hit for me (even as a child). Loved the place even if I don´t remember using the bathroom (certainly I must have). Len Clark/Central America

  9. I am most impressed not by the urinals, but the clever camera work. I salute this person for taking the time to think that through.

  11. Unfortunately, there was no attendant present to whisk me. I was afraid there would be one there, and thought this photograph might have been impossible in that case. Or at least very awkward. This bathroom was equally luxurious as the rest of the hotel, although I didn’t take enough time to explore the stalls…
    Tim // pupilphoto.com// Portland, OR

  13. I was in there last October. IIRC, I also took a souvenir towel. The kind in that basket in the picture.

    I was taking also taking pictures of the lobby and those cool animal heads hanging from the ceiling/wall. I was a bit worried that plain clothed security was going to rush to me from out of no where and ask me to delete my photos and leave.

  14. I’m from Spokane and whenever I’m in town for Christmas and go out drinking with my old friends, we always make sure to pee at the Davenport!

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