The 1859 Historic National Hotel is in Northern California Gold Country. The hotel buildings were among the first permanent structures in a town where people lived in tents and non-permanent wood structures. The hotel has been in continuous operation since opening.
Jamestown, CA is an area surrounded by wineries and beautiful scenery. Recreation including riding the historic train, skiing, hiking, boating and fishing. Visitors can even pan for gold in historic Gold Country.
Movie buffs may recognize some of the scenery in Jamestown. The classic movie “High Noon” starring John Wayne was filmed in Jamestown. The train in “Back to the Future 3” was Jamestown’s Historic Railtown Locomotive. Railtown’s steam locomotives and cars have appeared in over 200 films.
The hotel claims to have a resident ghost, named Flo. They consider Flo a friendly ghost who likes to play pranks.
Guest rooms are provided with notebooks and guests are encouraged to share experiences and comments. Guests have written accounts of doors slamming, lights turning on and off, clothes being taken out of suitcases and dumped on floors, and a woman sobbing in the hallway in the middle of the night.
According to the hotel website, they don’t know who she is, but there is a story published on their website about a woman in the early 1900’s who was waiting to meet a man. She was staying at the inn and heard sobbing at night. One day she was found dead in her room, of no apparent cause. Some say she died of a broken heart.
Whoever Flo is, she adds spice to the inn.
History of the National Hotel
Jamestown, California is the gateway to the Motherlode and Yosemite.
Northern California was rough and tumble Gold Rush country when the hotel was built. Prospectors usually lived in tents and temporary wooden structures. The two buildings of the hotel were among first permanent structures in Jamestown. The inn survived two major fires in Jamestown, but need to be restored.
The hotel engaged in serving liquor during Prohibition, legalized prostitution and gambling. National Hotel was raided several times during the Prohibition years. It seems that they continued to serve liquor in spites of the seizures and fines. There was legalized prostitution at the hotel until the late 1930’s. Gambling slot machines were there until 1949.
The historic inn still uses the original back bar, and has a working cash register dating from 1881.
New owners purchased the hotel in 1974 and started renovations on the The building. Plumbing was added to individual room in 1979-1980.
National Hotel in Modern TImes
The modernized hotel consists of 9 guest rooms with heat, air conditioning, private baths, wireless Internet and cable TV. A breakfast buffet in served in the morning. Guests enjoy the Soaking Room, with is an 1800’s version of the jacuzzi.
National Hotel is pet friendly. For an additional $25 per night, a pet basket including guidelines, dishes, towel, pet bedspread and treats is provided.
Hotel information is subject to change.
