HISTORY OF CAMPBELL'S RESORT

Built in 1901, when the town of Chelan was nothing more than a village on the outlet shores of Lake Chelan, the imposing hotel was designed by A.F.Cox, a prominent Iowa architect and close friend of C.C. Campbell.

Arriving from Iowa in 1889, C.C. Campbell purchased the hotel site for $400.00. With the sale completed, the seller was later overheard at the local saloon to remark that he had "just sold that sandpile to a sucker."

An immediate success, the hotel was situated at a commanding site. In those pioneer days, when freight wagons were pulled by four and six horse teams, the hotel was a stopping place for teamsters and drivers. Cattle during these early days, were driven accross the river at the point where a concrete bridge now spans the Chelan River.

The Chelan River, some three miles in length, after passing through the Chelan Gorge empties into the Columbia River at Chelan Falls.

At the Chelan Falls Landing, Columbia River steam-boats docked, passengers transferred to the local stagecoach and were transported into the town of Chelan. Many people remained overnight at the Campbell Hotel and then traveled uplake by steamer, especially to the head of Lake Chelan, where further fine hotel accommodations awaited these early day travelers.