Arriving from Iowa in 1889, C.C. Campbell purchased the property that is presently

Campbell’s Resort,  for $400. In 1901, when the town of Chelan was nothing more than a village on the outlet shores of Lake Chelan, he borrowed $5000 from his brother-in-law Amos Edmunds, a prosperous Illinois cattle breeder and member of that state’s legislature, to build a hotel. The hotel was designed by A.F. Cox,  a prominent Iowa architect and close friend of C.C. Campbell.

An immediate success, the hotel was situated at a commanding site. In those pioneer days, when freight wagons were pulled by four and six-horse teams, the hotel was a stopping place for teamsters and drivers.  Cattle during those early days were driven across the river at the point where a concrete bridge now spans the Chelan River. The present veranda at the time was pretty much at street level- used as a sidewalk. At the Chelan Falls Landing, Columbia River steamboats docked, passengers transferred to the local stagecoach and were transported into the town of Chelan.  Many people remained overnight at the Campbell Hotel and then traveled uplake by steamer, especially to the head of Lake Chelan where further fine hotel accommodations awaited these early day travelers.

Arthur, their only child, had distinguished himself at the University of Washington

obtaining a law degree in 1913,  while also a member of the varsity rowing crew and fir tree honorary.  Arthur excavated the present day dining room level with wheel barrows and scoop shovels in 1916, to accommodate the new road graded for improved access to the old bridge.

At the close of World War ll,  Arthur’s two sons Daniel and Arthur Jr., took over the active management of the property.  In 1989,  their two sons,  Arthur Jr.  and Clinton, assumed leadership from their retiring fathers.  Over the years the original hotel has sustained two serious fires and half a dozen renovations.

In 2001,  Campbell’s Resort celebrated its centennial, with a community celebration and open house.  The Campbell Family takes understandable pride in providing over 100 years of hospitality in the Lake Chelan Valley.

2008 saw the resort property enjoy a $3 million guest room and public space renovation, helping to keep it one of the favorite of all Washington state resorts.