September 4, 1962
Columbia Inn Motel, Kalama, Wa.
Singer Draws Crowd
KALAMA - A very sleepy Elvis Presley created quite a stir in this community Tuesday when the rock ´n´ roll entertainer and eight companions sought a comfortable bed after driving for 30 hours without rest.
Presley, on his way to Seattle to film a picture, arrived at the new Columbia Inn Motel about 6 a.m. and asked the proprieters that he and his party not be disturbed.
Word began to circulate that the teen-age idol was in Kalama after Presley purchased gasoline on a credit card listing his name and car license number. A comparison of the number of the card with a sleek station wagon parked at the motel revealed that the rumors were true.
At 7 p.m. Presley ordered breakfast, which was brought from the Columbia Inn Restaurant to the group´s motel units. After downing what was described as a gigantic meal, the performer stepped into the motel parking lot to greet some 150 young people from Longview, Kelso and Kalama who gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the star.
Text Copyright: Centralia (Wa.) Daily Chronicle, September 7, 1962
Photo source: Lower row left: Thanks to Cristi Dragomir of FECC
Photo source: Lower row middle and right: Thanks to the late Rex Martin´s Elvis Moments in Time
