FDR's Fala

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's constant companion, Fala, a Scottish Terrier, was the most famous dog in the world. A beloved witness to history, Fala was also the center of political controversy.
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  • No Room At The In Eleanor Roosevelt often traveled through Portland [Maine] on her way to Campobello Island, President Roosevelt and the first lady’s summer home off the Maine coast. In 1946, while traveling with her dog Fala, the former first lady sought lodging at the Eastland Hotel. She was told that she could stay but that her dog would have to stay in a nearby kennel. She refused to leave her dog and a national controversy ensued. Much was made in the national press of the Eastland management’s decision not to allow the president’s dog to stay in the hotel. Some papers would claim it was pure politics. Others claimed that the same rules applied to everyone. Roosevelt, Fala, and their chauffeur continued on to the Royal River Cabins in Yarmouth and passed the night there before they resumed their trip ro Campobello. The headline in the local paper read: “Dogdom’s Greatest Snubbed Here.” — from The Rines Family Legacy by Frederic L. Thompson Photo:  Franklin D. Roosevelt Library

    No Room At The In

    Eleanor Roosevelt often traveled through Portland [Maine] on her way to Campobello Island, President Roosevelt and the first lady’s summer home off the Maine coast. In 1946, while traveling with her dog Fala, the former first lady sought lodging at the Eastland Hotel. She was told that she could stay but that her dog would have to stay in a nearby kennel. She refused to leave her dog and a national controversy ensued. Much was made in the national press of the Eastland management’s decision not to allow the president’s dog to stay in the hotel. Some papers would claim it was pure politics. Others claimed that the same rules applied to everyone. Roosevelt, Fala, and their chauffeur continued on to the Royal River Cabins in Yarmouth and passed the night there before they resumed their trip ro Campobello. The headline in the local paper read: “Dogdom’s Greatest Snubbed Here.” — from The Rines Family Legacy by Frederic L. Thompson

    Photo:  Franklin D. Roosevelt Library

    permalink 2 notes fala fdr scottish terrier scottish terriers scotties history eleanor roosevelt 1946 Portland Maine Eastland Hotel
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