Gray, William C., 1845-1926

William P. Gray was born in Oregon City, OR in 1845. He began steamboating on the upper Columbia River with his father on the steamer Cascadilla in 1862. He settled in Ainsworth around 1883 and operated the Northern Pacific Railroad Snake River transfer boat Frederick Billings . Although he continued to operate boats on the river, Gray purchased property in Kennewick in 1884 and built a hotel. By 1888 Pasco held greater promise of becoming a metropolis and Gray, having purchased substantial acreage in the vicinity of Pasco, became a partner in the Pasco Land Company.

From the guide to the Captain William P. Gray Letter, 1884, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)

William C. Gray arrived in Spokane Falls, W.T. in 1878 from Redding, CA. In 1878-1879 he built and began to operate the California House, which became one of the city’s largest hotels. It burned in the fire of 1889. Gray was also interested in the development of railroads and mining, and made profitable investments in both railroad and mining stocks. He was a city council member in 1881.

From the guide to the William C. Gray Papers, 1884-1916, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)

William P. Gray was born in Oregon City, OR in 1845.

He began steamboating on the upper Columbia River with his father on the steamer "Cascadilla" in 1862. He settled in Ainsworth around 1883 and operated the Northern Pacific Railroad Snake River transfer boat "Fredrick Billings". Although he continued to operate boats on the river, Gray purchased property in Kennewick in 1884 and built a hotel. By 1888 Pasco held greater promise of becoming a metropolis and Gray, after having purchased substantial acreage in the vicinity of Pasco, became a partner in the Pasco Land Company.

From the description of Letter, 1884. (Eastern Washington State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42687012