National Hotel

Two plaques on one wall disagree about the year. The 1968 bronze dates the facade to 1854 and credits the building with the state's first whipping post; the 1976 bronze gives August 1856 as the opening and the register agrees. The earlier date and the whipping post both come from a drinking society's plaque and neither is sourced. What survives the argument is the shape of the thing: three brick buildings sharing walls, put up together, run as one hotel ever since.

What the plaques say

[the state plaque, placed 1976] This hotel, one of the oldest in continuous operation west of the Rockies, opened for business in August, 1856. Originally known as the "Bicknell Block", the structure consists of three common-walled buildings of simple brick construction embellished with classic revival and wrought iron railing ornamentation. [the E Clampus Vitus plaque on the same front, placed 1968] National Exchange Hotel 1854. Originally the Bicknell Block, stagecoach, mail, express and telegraph center in mining days. Companies which became Pacific Gas & Electric formed here. Site of first whipping post in state. Facade unchanged since 1854.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Nevada City — steps away
  Gaslamps, brick storefronts, and the Nisenan who are still fighting to be recognized on their own ground.
• Empire Mine State Historic Park — 4.5 mi
  The oldest, deepest, richest hard-rock gold mine in California, with 367 miles of flooded tunnels underneath.
• Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park — 9.5 mi
  A canyon washed out of a mountain by water cannon, and the lawsuit that ended hydraulic mining.

More markers nearby

• South Yuba Canal Office — steps away
• First Manufacturing Site of the Pelton Wheel — steps away
• Nevada Theatre — steps away
• Holbrooke Hotel — 3.9 mi