Niles Hotel is the Beating Heart of Alturas, California

Saloon Entrance of Niles Hotel in Alturas, California

One of the centerpieces of downtown Alturas, California, is the historic Niles Hotel, located on the corner of Main and Modoc streets.

The grand structure, which takes up nearly half a city block, traces its beginnings to 1908, when work began on what was to be called the Curtis Hotel. In 1912, Jay Eugene (J.E.) Niles, a prominent local businessman (he owned a large flour mill among other things), purchased the unfinished structure, completed the second and third floors, and renamed it after himself.

For decades, the 60-room Niles, which boasts several bars, meeting space, and large banquet rooms on the first floor, served as the social center of Alturas, hosting cattlemen, businessmen, railroad workers, farmers, and loggers. 

Niles, who was born in Michigan in 1853, sold the hotel in 1929 to Mitch and Babe Jurasevich, who lowered the ceilings, added steam heating and baths to the rooms (they had previously been heated with wood stoves) and installed the first elevator in Modoc County (sadly it no longer operates—but it is still there).

The hotel remains an important part of Alturas under the Jurasevich’s, who owned it for more than 40 years. In 1970, the Jurasevich’s sold the property, which went through a series of different owners, most of whom kept it open but made little attempt to improve, modernize or update the property.

In 1976, the hotel, now neglected and in need of work, closed seemingly for good. However, later that year it was purchased by Stephen and Cheryl Baker, who set about restoring it to its former glory. The Bakers devoted more than 12 years and an investment of more than a million dollars in antiques, labor and materials.

From 1995 to 1998, the Bakers leased the hotel to Michelle Marymee, then sold it to the John Vass family in 1998.

In 2011, Jim and Elizabeth Cavasso bought the old hotel, which was again in need of some tender loving care. With the help of the community, the Cavasso’s renovated the hotel and continue to operate it.

These days, the Niles remains a comfortable, albeit funky lodging house. Each of the rooms has been furnished with antiques in a particular theme, such as fishing (the Angler’s Haven room), Africa (Spirit of Africa room), the ocean (Beach House room), or the Old West (Lonesome Dove room).

Tucked inside the hotel is the Niles Coffee Company, which boasts Starbucks Coffee along with delicious baked goods and breakfast dishes, the Niles Saloon, a Victorian bar built in 1875, and the Niles Roadhouse, a restaurant serving lunch and dinner (hamburgers, salads, etc.).

A visit to the hotel is an opportunity to step back in time. It boasts tin-pressed ceilings, creaky wooden floors, an elaborate staircase from the main floor to the second floor, and beautiful wood paneled sitting and meeting rooms. The hotel’s accommodations are comfortable and reasonably-priced, and the staff is friendly.

Stop into the Niles Saloon for a nightcap and you’ll find a scene out of the TV show, Cheers, with a host of “regulars” who enjoy finding out where you’re from and sharing their stories (some of which are tall tales).

The Niles Hotel is located at 302 South Main Street in Alturas, California, which sits on U.S. 395 North (about 170 miles north of Reno). For more information, go to: https://nileshotel.com/ or call 530-233-3773.

While you’re in Alturas, check out the Modoc County Historical Museum (600 S. Main), which houses a number of exhibits detailing local history. It boasts a large antique firearm collection, as well as informative displays about Native American history. For more information about the museum, go to: https://sierranevadageotourism.org/entries/modoc-county-historical-museum/acce18f1-aa59-4839-9f52-5e71030841a1.