Eureka in Humboldt County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Vance Hotel

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 6, 2012

1. The Vance Hotel Marker

Inscription. The Hotel Vance was built in 1872 by Eureka pioneer & lumberman, John Vance. It was the area's grandest hotel & the first building in Eureka with electricity. It was originally designed & built in the "Modern Italianate style”, which included a mansard roof on the third story and a cupola for viewing ships arriving into Humboldt Bay.

The hotel was remodeled in 1910 by adding two-stories in a restrained Edwardian style. The quoining (wood cornerstones) & rustification (horizontal boards vertically incised to appear as stone blocks) are outstanding architectural elements. The two story building adjacent to the main hotel was remodeled into an annex for the hotel & a parking garage. During the 1950's the hotel & the famous "Vance log cabin" were owned & operated by the Lloyd Bridges family.

The hotel was purchased in 1998 by Rob & Cherie Arkley & Kurt & Kim Kramer. It has been restored into a beautiful Victorian retail/office complex.

Erected 2004 by Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce.

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In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 40° 48.28′ N, 124° 9.939′ W. Marker is in Eureka, California, in Humboldt County. It is at the intersection of G Street and 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north on G Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 531 2nd Street, Eureka CA 95501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s North Coast,

specifically on the Coast Ranges,

and in the Klamath Mountains.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast

and in the Pacific Northwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Vance Hotel (here, next to this marker); Buhne Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Oberon (within

The Vance Hotel Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 6, 2012

2. The Vance Hotel Marker - wide view

The marker is just to the right of the corner entrance.

shouting distance of this marker); Vance Building (1872) (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Post Office 1882-1885/1890-1894 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ricks Building (1878) (within shouting distance of this marker); IOOF (Dunaway Building) - 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Russ Building (1900) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eureka.

The Vance Hotel image. Click for full size.

circa 1930's

3. The Vance Hotel

Marion Dean Ross (photo courtesy of University of Oregon Libraries, CC license 4.0), circa 1965

4. Vance Hotel

The Vance Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 6, 2012

5. The Vance Hotel and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 4,437 times since then and 391 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 19, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.