Murphys Hotel
Murphys Hotel is the most striking structure left from the days of gold. This classic example
of Mother Lode architecture—iron shutters, wrought-iron balconies, and stone construction—still
shelters, feeds, and waters weary travelers as it did when it opened for business on August 20 of
1856. Built by James L. Sperry and John Perry, the place was first known as the Sperry and Perry
Hotel. Thought to be fire-proof, the hotel burned in the fire of 1859. Sperry and Perry started
on a new building almost immediately and the new hotel was finished in time for the spring travel
of 1860. The new Sperry and Perry Hotel was considered one of the finest hotels outside of San
Francisco, and due to its location near several tourist spots, was host to many famous people
over the years. A photocopy of the old register is available at the desk and a look through its
pages will reveal such names as: Mark Twain, U. S. Grant, John Bidwell, C. E. Bolton (alias
Black Bart), Henry Ward Beecher, Horatio Alger, J. P. Morgan and Thomas Lipton. The hotel was
later purchased by Henry Atwood who operated it for a short time in 1881. Atwood sold out to
Harvey Blood, who later sold out to C. P. Mitchler in September of 1882. The Mitchler family
operated the hotel for many years, during which time it was called the Mitchler Hotel, eventually
becoming the Murphys Hotel.