A face is seen painted on a large metal barrel next to a stack of beer kegs at the Olympic Club Wednesday afternoon in Centralia.
In this photo provided by McMenamins, the Olympic Club is seen in 1913 shortly before it was remodeled.
In 1921, Roy Gardner was captured by law enforcement at the property, which was then known as the Oxford Hotel, after escaping federal custody. Nearly 100 years after Gardner’s last ride, patrons will hop the train and then note his memory with a beer named in his honor.
The Olympic Club is located at 112 North Tower Avenue in Centralia.
A flyer for the Olympic Club's 110th anniversary is seen Wednesday afternoon in Centralia.
Starch your best set of knickers and crank up the old Model-T Ford, because McMenamins Olympic Club is getting ready to mark 110 years of business in downtown Centralia.
The festivities for that supercentenarian celebration are set for Saturday, Jan. 27, in what is being billed as an all-day event featuring live music, local historians, interactive games and a specialty beer named after the historic establishment’s most notorious patron.
“I know it’s going to be fun. They’re even taking one of our hotel rooms and turning it into a bar for the day,” said Jessy Thayer, a staff member at McMenamins Olympic Club. “There’ll be live music all day, entrance is free and all ages are welcome. So it’s going to be a rollicking good time.”
As always, the doors at the Oly Club will open at 7 a.m., and a specialty birthday beer known as Roy Gardner’s Whiskey Barrel-Aged Nut Brown will be available for those with an inkling to imbibe.
Beginning at 1 p.m., McMenamins historians will deliver a historical presentation about the Olympic Club location’s spirited history and its various incarnations. A follow-up presentation will be offered at 3 p.m.
Live music will also begin at 1 p.m. with Bigfoot Mojo set to take the stage for two hours. This Year’s Model will take over the picking and strumming duties from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Cedar Teeth will round out the performances with a three-hour set beginning at 8 p.m.
If your Model-T has been acting up lately, or you just happen to you know someone who needs to make it north to the Hub City from Stump Town, the Oly Club has partnered with Amtrak Cascades in order to offer a special two-for-one ticket special.
That special allows riders to begin their day at Zeus Cafe in Portland with a free breakfast and beverage before hopping the train to the Centralia Train Depot, a mere block away from the Olympic Club.
Interestingly, some of the most scintillating history of the Olympic Club property revolves around a renowned train robber.
In 1921, Roy Gardner was captured by law enforcement at the property, which was then known as the Oxford Hotel, after escaping federal custody.
Nearly 100 years after Gardner’s last ride, patrons will hop the train and then note his memory with a beer named in his honor.
Originally built in 1908, the Olympic Club was purchased by McMenamins Pubs and Breweries in 1997.
The establishment features 27 European-style guest rooms, two bars, a brewpub style movie theatre, a pool hall and full length shuffleboard, among other amenities.
Additional information is available at mcmenamins.com or by calling 1-866-736-5164. McMenamins Olympic Club is located at 112 N. Tower Ave, Centralia.
