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 Cristian Dragomir