Historic Walking Tour - Benton Hotel

Significance

Italian Renaissance Style built in 1925. Rehabilitated in the early 1980s. Largest building within Corvallis' commercial district. Its construction related to the completion of the Pacific Highway (paved from Canada to Mexico). Built by Benton Hotel Corporation (group of Corvallis citizens). Hotel has played a large role in Corvallis social life. The ballroom held 300 people. Many university events were held here. Among the celebrities to stay at the hotel were Shirley Temple, Mary Aston and Will Rogers. Politicians included: John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.