The Windrow Story

Photo Courtesy of the Ellensburg Public Library

Lodge 1102

The Roaring 20's were a decade of prosperity, innovation, and celebration across the nation, and Washington State was no different. In 1923, Ellensburg residents and members of the newly formed Lodge 1102 unveiled the new Grand Lodge at 5th and Main in downtown Ellensburg. Akin to the New York skyscrapers of the era, the steel beams and riveted trusses were the framework of the building, with a brick façade lining the classic exterior. A natural elegance accompanied the space with a second-floor grand ballroom, inviting 12-foot-tall windows for natural light and connection to bustling Main Street, adorned with a 3-foot-stained glass star embedded in the ceiling.

For the next 80 years, this building served as the gathering place for the entire Kittitas Valley and beyond. If you were celebrating a wedding, a birthday, an anniversary, or any other event, it was likely you would end up at the Elks Building.

Photo Courtesy of the Ellensburg Public Library

Luck and Legacy

At the turn of the 21st Century, membership in fraternal organizations began to fade, and activities at the building started to diminish. In turn, the building began to suffer from deferred maintenance and neglect. Soon, the celebrated space was instead known in town as the "old, condemned" Elks Lodge. Faced with a tough decision, the members of Lodge 1102 finally decided to sell the building and its legacy as the gathering point of the valley seemed over.

When a property developer applied for a demolition permit to tear down the structure, an avid historical board, and passionate community members pointed out that the building sits next to Wilson Creek. While not well-known, the creek winds its way directly through the town, the university, and modern roadways as one of the dozens of waterways flowing into the Yakima River. The Elks Lodge was saved by luck and legacy to prevent damage to the river and its encompassing ecosystems.

Photo Courtesy of the Ellensburg Public Library

Local Pride

During this time of uncertainty and newly granted opportunity for the 1920s structure, the building caught the attention of a regional development group with a passion for historic preservation. While others were ready to demolish it, the group saw its potential and envisioned a restoration that would return it to its former grandeur. With dedicated effort and the financial support of community members, the building was carefully restored in 2016. The project earned awards for Outstanding Historic Building Rehabilitation and Excellence on Main. Happy tenants replaced the dust and neglect, renewed local pride, and life was brought back to the grand ballroom.

Hotel Windrow

After careful planning, construction commenced in July 2018 at a boutique hotel called Hotel Windrow. Much like the original lodge, Hotel Windrow was designed to be no ordinary hotel. It features a grand staircase from the hotel lobby connecting to the historic Elks Grand Ballroom and a rooftop deck offering a stunning vantage point over bustling Main Street, with spectacular views of downtown Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley. The hotel houses 59 guest rooms with modern amenities and comforts, meeting spaces, and inviting areas where guests can once again gather at the heart of the community.

Heart of Downtown

With the opening of the new hotel came a celebration of tradition. The property's name honors the town's original hay farmers and founders. In Central Washington, hay farmers carefully tend their fields throughout the growing season before cutting their crops into long “windrows” laid perpendicular to the wind to dry. This process forces the hay into a period of rest—an essential step before it can be gathered. Like a windrow, we all need moments of rest. Inspired by this concept, Hotel Windrow’s mission is to provide a “critical time of rest” through comfortable guest rooms and inviting gathering spaces. Officially opening in January 2020, Hotel Windrow and the historic Elks Building once again serve as the heart of downtown Ellensburg. As a place where generations gather to celebrate life’s most memorable occasions, they stand ready to continue this legacy for at least another century.

The Windrow Story

Lodge 1102

Luck and Legacy

Local Pride

Hotel Windrow

Heart of Downtown

You make the time, and we’ll help you rest.

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