This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Hello, Malcolm Glaubel here. We're here in New York City with T-Mobile for Business recording another episode of Revisionist History about how 5G network slicing strengthens trust and connections across worldwide industries. Slicing can be used for so many different things.
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This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories. In downtown Portland, Oregon sits a hotel most people walk past without a second thought. But for more than a century, the Benson Hotel has quietly played host to presidents, business deals, and moments that shaped the city around it. Behind its elegant walls is a story of ambition, risk, and a man who bet everything on building something lasting. Here's Alex Adler, better known on YouTube as Alex the Historian.
With our story. The Benson Hotel. A late Edwardian masterpiece that became another sparkling jewel in the collection of Simon Benson's achievements. It's elegant. Regal.
and tastefully luxurious. Starting off as the dream of a humble lumber baron, the Benson Hotel exists today as a wonder of the early 20th century art and style. Here now is the history of this fascinating marvel. Simon Benson was born October 2, 1851, in Norway and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 16. He began working in the logging industry in Wisconsin and eventually moving his wife and children to the state of Oregon.
He worked his way up through the ranks and started up the Benson Logging and Lumber Company. In 1891, his wife died after a long battle with tuberculosis, leaving the grieving Simon as a single father. He was a man devoted to his children. and he was more driven than ever to make his business a success. His business pioneered the use of logging railroads instead of using oxen like his competitors.
And to save on shipping costs, his company employed the use of logging rafts that floated his timber down to his sawmill in San Diego. supplying Southern California with its desperately needed lumber. Between the period of 1905 and 1929, the city of Portland, Oregon experienced a surge of growth. Becoming much more than just a logging town, it quickly grew into a cultured city complete with annual parades and rose festivals. and new construction introduced modern architecture and design to the city.
Being somewhat of a visionary himself, Simon Benson dreamed of a world-class hotel for the city of Portland. And in 1912, he commissioned the city's most prominent architectural firm, Doyle and Patterson. to help bring his dream to a reality. The exterior of the hotel was designed in the French Second Empire style, complete with glazed terracotta and red brick. The lobby had arched windows and the top of the building was capped with a French mansard roof with dormers.
The hotel even had the grandest marquee out front, standing over 50 feet tall and made of glass and steel. The Marquis would later collapse under the weight of heavy snow in 1937. The fabulous interiors of the hotel are a true testament to the elegance and grandeur that Simon pursued. He had bought the best Pao Natzo marble to line the baseboards of the walls and pillars. The wood panelling above the marble was done in the now extinct Circassian walnut, which was imported from the forests of Imperial Russia.
A story goes that Simon Benson, who was quite used to spending large sums of money, had nearly fainted when he received the bill from the Tsar for the rare wood. That exotic panelling still remains the breathtaking focal point of the main lobby. Adorning this grandiose space are the hanging Austrian crystal chandeliers. The grand fireplace with matching Paoonatzo marble hearth. And of course, who can miss the classical coffered ceiling with hand-carved plaster molding?
The lobby alone set Benson's hotel apart from others in the city. During the construction on the hotel, Simon had been spending a lot of time in the city, and noticed that there were few places for the general public to get a drink of water. During an independence parade, he noted the cries from a thirsty child. and one day he walked into one of the city's various saloons to ask for a glass of water. When told he could only get water if he ordered a drink, He then asked for a glass of beer and a glass of water.
He drank only the water and left the beer behind. It occurred to him that the loggers and working class men of the city had no access to drinking water, and it was much easier to quench their thirst with alcohol. which no doubt negatively affected their health and productivity at work. Simon then donated $10,000 towards the installation of 20 bronze drinking fountains around the downtown area, equivalent to around $292,000 in today's money. These beautifully ornate fountains constantly gushed water day and night and have provided Portland citizens with a healthier way to hydrate themselves for over 110 years.
The fountains were given the endearing nickname the Benson Bubblers. and Simon even had one installed right outside his hotel. On March 5th, 1913, the hotel opened with the name the New Oregon Hotel, since it was technically annexed as part of the original Oregon Hotel next door. Standing 12 stories tall and containing 200 guest rooms, it was the most lavish hotel in the city. Featuring modern innovations such as electric lighting, and even the hotel closets were equipped with door switches that automatically activated the electric lamp when you opened it.
Not to mention, there was circulating ice water, and the guests were greeted each morning with a delivery of hot clam nectar, which is the clam juice left over from boiling clams. Yes, that was once a desirable beverage. The clam nectar tradition eventually switched to a morning delivery of hot coffee. Despite the hotel's luxurious and ornate style and atmosphere, it hemorrhaged money in its first 16 months. Simon Benson was not about to let his name be tarnished.
He took over management of the hotel, naming it after himself in order to distance its poor reputation from his management. He cut costs where necessary and turned the hotel into a profitable business. eventually selling it to William Boyd and Robert Keller. The hotel has enjoyed success ever since, being sold off occasionally to new owners. Most recently, it was purchased by Hilton and now runs under their management.
In the midst of booming growth in the city of Portland, Simon Benson dreamed of delivering the city a jewel they could take pride in. While the Benson Hotel was only affordable to the wealthy, it did provide the city and its people with a much-needed status symbol that planted them firmly on the nation's maps. In his desire to better the lives of his fellow citizens, he provided them free of charge the world's most precious commodity. drinking water. Simon eventually retired from his logging company in his older years, continuing his philanthropy.
He funded the construction of the Benson Polytechnic High School to help young working class children achieve a better future outside of the dangerous sweatshops their peers were destined for. He also established essential vehicle thoroughfares throughout the state of Oregon in order to encourage tourism. The Columbia River Highway owes much of its existence to him. He also purchased 1,000 acres around Multnomah and Waikina Falls, which he donated to the city of Portland. The Benson wasn't his only achievement in hospitality.
In 1927, he built the Columbia Gorge Hotel, which was built in a classic mission style. Despite his immense wealth, He never lost sight of his humanity or sense of giving. Simon Benson died on August 5th, 1942, at the age of 90. Having lived a fulfilling life and leaving behind a legacy that will not be soon forgotten. In 1986, the Benson Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
It remains in operation today. a beautiful and shining example of the restrained architectural styles and extravagance of the late Edwardian age. A testament to one man's well-deserved achievement. of the American Dream. And a terrific job on the production, editing, and storytelling by our own Madison Derricott.
And a special thanks to Alex Adler, better known on YouTube as Alex the Historian. And my goodness, so many cities have men like this, women like this. They built businesses, they built small fortunes, and then they dug into their city and with philanthropic efforts and also business efforts, tried to build a better version of their hometowns. The story of Simon Benson and the Benson Hotel here on Our American Story. Oh.
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Or settle in with 19 seasons of the beloved family series Heartland, a family favorite ranch drama fans can't get enough of. It's commercial free. Stream anywhere. Get a free trail today. Go to upfaithandfamily.com/slash iHeart.
You ever wonder how far an EV can take you on one charge?
Well, most people drive about 40 miles a day, which means you can do all daily stuff no problem. Go to work, grab the kids at school, get the groceries, and still have enough charge to visit your in-laws in the next county. But they don't need to know that. And the best part, you won't have to buy gas at all. The way forward is electric.
Explore EVs that fit your life at electricforall.org. Janice Torres here. And I'm Austin Hankwitz. We host the podcast, Mind the Business: Small Business Success Stories, produced by Ruby Studio in partnership with Intuit QuickBooks. We're back for season four to talk to some incredible small business owners.
The big thing about working at tech is that it's ever-evolving, ever-changing. Everyone's a rookie. That's how fast the industry is changing.
So, what I'm really excited about is to be part of that change.
So listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Mm-hmm.
