Ione in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Commercial Hotel
City of Ione Downtown Historic District
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 12, 2022
1. The Commercial Hotel Marker
The building before you was originally built in 1856 as the two-story Williams Hotel. In 1875, Mr.
E.A. Kingsley purchased the hotel for $2,000 and renamed it The Veranda. A spectacular kitchen fire
in January of 1884 claimed the hotel, adjoining buildings, and the life of one guest. Insurance did
not cover the loss, but within two weeks, Mrs. Kingsley had plans for the construction of the new
Commercial Hotel, pictured above. With balconies gracing three sides of the structure and a dining area that
could seat more than 100 guests, the hotel was considered the finest lodging in Ione City, with rates of $2
per day.On July 12, 1930, a fire caused by faulty wiring on the third floor blazed through the structure, destroying the hotel, the first-floor restaurant, and the California Trust and Savings Bank housed within. The Ione and Jackson Fire Departments battled the fire all night and successfully prevented the spread of the flames to neighboring buildings. Damage to the Hotel was estimated at $25,000-the top two floors were a total loss.
The surviving ground floor was remodeled soon after, becoming home to a variety
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 12, 2022
2. The Commercial Hotel (now city hall) and marker - wide view
this page online
Erected 2015 by Ione Community Program, City of Ione.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 38° 21.169′ N, 120° 55.998′ W. Marker is in Ione, California, in Amador County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street and South Church Street, on the right when traveling west on East Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 East Main Street, Ione CA 95640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ione City Hall (here, next to this marker); Old Red Brick Building Saloon (a few steps from this marker); Ione City Hall and Police Offices (a few steps from this marker); Ione Parlor No. 33, N.S.G.W. (within shouting distance of this marker); Daniel Stewart Co. Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Ione Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron Ivan (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Ione's Bravest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ione.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 14, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
