Lovingly restored to reflect the charms of the past with modern comforts, the 1859 Historic National Hotel continues to be one of the most visited hotels in Jamestown.

Spend a relaxing weekend in the hotel, and you might get a chance to meet Flo, the hotel’s resident ghost!

Flo is probably the hotel’s most popular ghost, and she is a friendly ghost.  Flo is said to stay in the upstairs area of the hotel generally. She seems to favor rooms that are in front of the building.

She can be seen early in the morning floating through the rooms and the walls of the building’s downstairs area.

Because of Flo’s apparitions and manifestations, each hotel’s rooms come with a notebook where guests can share their ghostly experiences.

Staff and guests have reported numerous accounts of lights turning on and off by themselves, doors slamming on their own, and clothing being dumped on the floor from suitcases.

A woman can also be heard sobbing in the hallways during the evenings. Many non-believers have come to the hotel as skeptics and left as believers.

National Hotel History

The 1859 Historic National Hotel was established in 1859 when Heinrich and Hannah Nielsen established it. The National Hotel was comprised of two wooden buildings during the gold-rush era of Jamestown.

All the other early establishments in the same area were also made of wooden structures. The hotel has been operating ever since, and it has survived two fires in 1901 and 1927. The hotel had to be remodeled because of the fire.

In August of 1974, the National Hotel was purchased by the current owners, brothers Stephen and Michel Willey, and their friend Donald Hazelwood.

The bar and the hotel have functioned since the building opened. However, the restaurant had not been fully used until 1946. This is because the restaurant had to comply with the State ABC department’s requirements and the local health department. The kitchen had to be gutted, and the dining room had to be restored totally.

The restaurant was finally reopened in 1975. It emphasized Italian family dining and was later expanded also to serve lunches. During this time, the hotel charged monthly tenants an affordable rate of $60.

There were several other restorations; the latest was during the years 2000-2005. Ambient lighting and carpeting were added. Most of the work was concentrated on the bar and the two dining rooms.

About

The 1859 Historic National Hotel has nine rooms, which are all beautifully appointed with fine antiques. All rooms come with modern heat and air conditioning.

The rooms are comfortable, relaxing, and plain elegant. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant’s cheesecake is the area’s best. The restaurant serves dinner, lunch, and dessert.

The Gold Rush Saloon is a romantic saloon that still comes with the original 19th-century redwood bar. Your favorite beverages can be ordered from the saloon, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic. The famous Hot Buttered Rum is a favorite of the hotel’s many guests. All wines served in the saloon are from the Gold Country.

Features

  • Jacuzzi
  • Cable television/VCR
  • Access to the soaking room
  • Private baths
  • Fluffy bathrobes
  • Pull chain toilets
  • Hairdryer
  • Free wireless internet access
  • Buffet breakfast

Things to Do

There are many attractions and things to do in Jamestown. If you are a golfer who wants to play on nothing but some of the country’s best golf courses, you have come to the right place. You can choose from Saddlecreek Golf Resort, Forest Meadows, Greenhorn Creek, and Pine Mt. Lake. The main attraction in the area is Yosemite Park.

Other great places to go to are Calaveras Big Trees, 1897 Railtown State Park, and Columbia Gold Rush State Park. If you enjoy skiing, the Sierra Mountains are the best destination in the area for sledding, snowboarding, and skiing.

If you enjoy wine, there are wonderful reds and whites which are produced in the area. Gianelli Vineyards is a place that you should go to.

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