Courtesy of the National Exchange Hotel
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San Francisco is filled with many historic buildings, but if you venture out of the city a few hours you can find even more historic gems, including one of the oldest hotels in the state. Nestled in the Nevada City, it has over a century of history filling its halls, beginning with the California Gold Rush.
The National Exchange Hotel isn’t just historic in California, it is also one of the oldest hotels west of the Rockies. Nevada City was initially a small settlement that sprung from the discovery of gold in Deer Creek in 1849. The budding town grew quickly; by 1851, it was the largest mining town in California. Eventually, as the town drew in more people, sturdier, less-fire-prone buildings became a necessity. One of the first few brick structures built was turned into what we now know as the National Exchange Hotel, opening its doors in 1856 under the name Bricknell Block.
Courtesy of the National Exchange Hotel
The hotel was seen as a welcome addition to the town, providing upscale accommodations for the developing city. The hotel has been a central part of the city for decades, hosting the city’s first telegraph office and even the post office. Over the years, the hotel has gone through many changes, adding and removing balconies, rooms, and even a pool at one point. One room was even recently discovered during renovations after being walled off for years.
After over 150 years, the hotel had seen better days, and it was in desperate need of renovations, and was even close to being condemned at one point. In 2018, the hotel started a new chapter with numerous renovations to bring it back to life. While to hotel underwent extensive renovations, the architects and designers restored and preserved much of the historic features that make the hotel special. The exterior of the hotel is almost unchanged from when it first opened over 150 years ago. The result is a chic hotel that still maintains much of its historic charm. Guests can stay in one of the hotel’s 38 rooms, decorated with a nod to Victorian style. An upscale restaurant called Lola and a chic bar are available to guests and visitors alike.
Courtesy of the National Exchange Hotel
The hotel lives up to its lively past, holding various events such as Drag Brunch, special dinners, Drag Queen Bingo, and plenty of local musicians.You can also expect seasonal events, like the Tintype portrait session happening this Saturday, October 25.
Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Nevada City is brimming with history, and was even named one of America’s best small towns by Town and Country. The town is known for it’s many historic buildings along with the Nation Exchange, including California’s oldest theater building. The town has a thriving art community, and regularly hosts vibrant seasonal events, including the charming Victorian Christmas event.
The National Exchange Hotel is located at 211 Broad Street, Nevada City, California.