The Nortonia
409 SW 11th Ave at Stark
Years:
1906 – 1911 [The Nortonia]
1911 – 1914 [The Bowers]
1914- 1966 [The Nortonia]
1966 – present day [Mark Spencer Hotel]
From Wikipedia as background history: The Hotel Ramapo, now known as Taft Hotel, was previously known as Nortonia Hotel, Danmoore Hotel, and (erroneously) Franklin Hotel. It is a historic residential hotel in Portland, Oregon, United States. Built in 1906, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]
Designed as a residential hotel by Edgar M. Lazarus in 1906, the building was owned by Lazarus until his death in 1939. He first leased it to Mrs. A. B. Norton, and the hotel's first name was Nortonia Hotel. Mrs. Norton gave up her lease and used the name Nortonia for the next hotel she managed, now known as the Mark Spencer Hotel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Ramapo Below are various photos and postcards from over the years. Some are from http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/nortonia.html One shows the original entrance to the Mark Spencer/Nortonia. The upper doorway to the left led into the lobby. The lower doorway to the right led to the Grill Room. Some years later, the doors were removed, the lobby was moved, and the area is now an open-air courtyard. Another shows the dining room which then could have been named the “Paradise Room” and others show the rooftop gardens again per the pdxhistory website “(postcard) from 1912 shows an interior perspective of the Tea Room on the Roof Garden. The gold box covers up the original caption, which says Nortonia Roof Garden. For several years, the Nortonia was called the Bowers. In 1911, H.C. Bowers became the President and Manager. He had managed the Portland Hotel for 17 years. By 1914, Bowers moved on to the Multnomah Hotel and the name was changed back to Nortonia.”
The ad to the right is from the Portland Greeter magazine, page 14 December 1962
Mark Spencer Hotel 409 SW 11th at Stark 800-548-3934 503-224-3293
Years: 1966 - present
History/Story: Mark Spencer Hotel Per www.markspencer.com: In 1966, the Nortonia was remodeled and redubbed Mark Spencer Hotel, keeping the same air of sophistication and Portland charm, with the added benefit of modern furnishings and stylish décor. With a commitment to providing a "stay like a local" experience, still deeply rooted in the hotel’s purpose, Mark Spencer Hotel continues to provide guests with exceptional rooms and suites.
citations & references:
First listed in Damron Address Book 1999 under Accommodations (GF – gay friendly)
Cited in THE GUIDE Magazine www.guidemag.com October 2005 in article PORTLAND Oregon’s little gem page 30 “In the midst of the Stark gay club district, the Mark Spencer Hotel (409 SW 11th at Stark 800-548-3934) has 101 rooms. It’s on the trolly lines between downtown and the Pearl District. They have en-suite kitchens, on-line reservations, parking, a rooftop deck, and wi-fi.”
First listed in Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA 1996 Under: Hotels “Steps from popular gay bars, surprisingly clean and comfortable inside.”
listed in Fodor’s Gay Guide to the Pacific Northwest 1997 Under: Hotels
listed in Out & About Gay Travel Guide 1997 Under: Stay
listed in Damron’s Men’s Travel Guide 2000 Under: Accommodations
listed in Damron’s Men’s Travel Guide 2007 Under: Accommodations
listed in Damron’s Men’s Travel Guide 2010 Under: Accommodations
Below is a pamphlet for The Mark Spencer Hotel.
