Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
St. George Hotel
1894
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, December 9, 2022
1. St. George Hotel Marker
Architects: Kenitzer & Kollofrath
Mission Revival facade1922
Having been destroyed with the heart of downtown in an 1894 fire, the on-year-old bldg. was rebuilt and renamed The St. George Hotel, as the knight who defeated the fire-breathing dragon was symbolic of the towns recovery.
Once the last word in luxury, the hotel featured the towns first public elevator, a glass-roofed Garden Court with fountain and art noveau dining room murals.
Its Baronial lobby, with mosaic floors and marble stairs, had served as a community center for civic services. Over the years the hotel contained the courthouse, city hall, public library, telegraph office, chamber of commerce and county tourist bureau.
Plaque placed by Barry Swenson Builder
Text & Design: Ross Eric Gibson
Erected by Barry Swenson Builder.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.
Location. 36° 58.548′ N, 122° 1.596′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on Pacific Avenue near Front Street, on the left when traveling south
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. George Building (here, next to this marker); People's Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Tom Scribner (within shouting distance of this marker); To the Chinese men and women who came to Gold Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific Avenue Commercial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Alfred Baldwin's Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Cruz County Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Cruz County World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.
Also see . . .
1. Santa Cruz Residences. Local Wiki (Submitted on November 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Guide to the St. George Hotel Collection (1899-1984).
"Anson Hotaling spared no expense building this new, modern hotel in Santa Cruz. He recruited an Italian craftsman to live in Santa Cruz to install a Primitive Mosaic Tile floor. He also recruited a German Artist to paint eight wall murals. To complete the European theme for his hotel, Anson(Submitted on December 12, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)imported furniture and other room settings using French sailing ships going around the Cape Horn."Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, December 9, 20222. St. George Hotel Marker
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, December 9, 2022
3. St. George Hotel
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 585 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
