The Saga of The Purple Sage Motel

The Purple Sage Motel was built in the late 1950's by the Flower's family and was operated by several different owners as the Flower's Motel until about 1989 when it closed.  It was situated on what was then U.S. 10 so this Motor Court saw a lot of business until November of 1963 when Interstate 90 opened.  There are only a few of the original Motor Courts left in business in the nation.  Sadly most of them are very run down.  We are fortunate as the building is in excellent shape for its age.  It was built room by room and rooms 1-5 (known as "the Strip") though all the same, vary by up to an inch and a half in size.  Fortunately the "Tuck and Roll" wall paper was removed, however much of the plumbing on "the Strip" is original 1950's and still functions excellently.  An on demand hot water heater has been added.  We're happy to announce the addition of a hot water return system in the fall of 2001, through the rooms in "the Strip".  There is no waiting for hot water any longer even as far away as Room 1.  And wait until you feel how warm the floor in the bathroom is when you step on it with your bare feet.

You will be pleasantly surprised!

In August of 1991 Robyn McLaughlin, a long time resident of Sprague, purchased the motel and remodeled it.  It officially reopened in April, 1993, under the name of the Purple Sage Motel which was taken from Zane Grey's book "The Riders of the Purple Sage".  Robyn sold the Motel in 1995 and in November of 1998 it was deeded back to her after having been abandoned.  After some discussion Kent, Robyn's brother, chose to leave his home of 13 years in Index, Washington, to become the Innkeeper and rebuild the business.  Soon Kent realized that he loved being an Innkeeper and after having the most successful 1st three quarters the motel has ever had, Kent and his wife, Kriss, purchased the motel from Robyn on the 1st of October, 1999.  Kent has chosen to make each room unique.  You'll find pictures and descriptions on the Rooms page of our web-site.  Be sure to click on the pictures for your virtual tour.

 

Thank you for visiting!

December 27, 2009