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Grass Valley

The History of the Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley – Part 1

The Holbrooke Hotel Eary Years
The Holbrooke Hotel Early Years

Imagine a time when horse draw carriages and covered wagons carried hopeful pioneers to the gold country and dreams of striking gold became a reality for many.  The vision of that Victorian Era was for a life of rustic elegance and ease surrounded by majestic pine trees, raging rivers, wide open spaces and picturesque ponds.

The path to such a life wasn’t always paved with the gold they dreamed of, but rather with the vision and leadership of many hard working pioneers.  Stephen and Clara Smith were among the first to invest in this boom town known today as Grass Valley.  They built the Adams Express Office and the Golden Gate Saloon which sadly, were destroyed by fire in 1855 along with most of Grass Valley.  The Smiths rebuilt the popular saloon as a one story field stone building with a brick facade, making it safer from the threat of another fire.  The Golden Gate Saloon is oldest, continuously operated saloon west of the Mississippi River.  In 1862 a relative, Charles Smith, built the current structure and named it the Exchange Hotel.

It was noted for it’s convenience to the local Gold Exchange.  When the Gold Exchange closed, 18 ounces of pure gold were found in the carpeting.  Like other local buildings that were constructed, the hotel was fortified against fire damage with heavy iron doors and the roof was covered with a 12 inch layer of dirt and brick.

In 1879 the hotel was purchase by Ellen and Daniel Holbrooke and was given its current name.  Daniel Holbrooke passed away 1884, but Ellen Holbrooke continued to manage and operate the hotel until 1908.

More to follow……………..

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History

The Historic Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley, CA

Photo courtesy of the Grass Valley Downtown Association
Photo courtesy of the Grass Valley Downtown Association

A gem in the beautiful City of Grass Valley is the Holbrooke Hotel. Perhaps better said, the Holbrooke Hotel is a nugget of gold, since Grass Valley is a City born of the gold rush of the 1800’s.

The history of the building of the Holbrooke Hotel started with Stephen and Clara Smith being among the first to invest in the then boom town of Grass Valley. They built the Adams Express Office and the Golden Gate Saloon which sadly, were destroyed by fire in 1855 along with most of Grass Valley. The Smiths rebuilt the popular saloon as a one story fieldstone building with a brick façade, making it safer from the threat of another fire. The Golden Gate Saloon, an integral part of the Holbrooke Hotel, is the oldest, continuously operated saloon west of the Mississippi River.

In 1862 a relative, Charles Smith, built the current structure and named it the Exchange Hotel. It was noted for its convenience to the local Gold Exchange. When the Gold Exchange was closed, 18 ounces of pure gold was found. In 1879 the hotel was purchased by Ellen and Daniel Holbrooke who gave the hotel its present name.

Over the years, the Hotel has hosted many famous guests that included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, James Garfield and prize fighters, “Gentleman Jim” Corbett and Bob Fitzismmons. Famous authors Mark Twain and Bret Harte were also guests of the Holbrooke Hotel. The hotel was also frequented by entertainers Lola Montez, Lotta Crabtre and Emma Nevada. Some say that the infamous highwayman, Black Bart was also a guest of the hotel.

In 1974 the Holbrooke Hotel was declared a California State Landmark and proudly displays a plaque at the entrance to hotel commemorating that declaration.

The hotel is now under new management and will continue to provide top notch service. They have a splendid dining room; the Golden Gate Saloon is there much like it was in the 1800’s. You have a choice of staying in Victorian appointed rooms or suites. If you would like to relive a little of the past, with fine food and service, I recommend the Holbrooke Hotel to you.
For reservations, go to this link  Holbrooke Hotel