Gardnerville in Douglas County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

The East Fork Hotel

Photographed by Troy ECV Morgan, November 25, 2023

1. The East Fork Hotel Marker

Inscription. One of the original businesses in Gardnerville, the East Fork Hotel once stood proudly on Main Street at Gilman Ave. In 1892-93, Brothers George and Charles Brown built a 20' x 50' building with a saloon in front and a small residence in the back with rooms upstairs that rented for $1-1.50 per night. A fire in 1899 that started in the cellar did considerable structural damage and extensive repairs were needed but all 18 guests were able to escape unharmed. In 1903 the Browns sold the hotel to another pair of brothers, Charles and Henry Morrison. By 1909 it was known to offer "excellent hotel service at moderate rates and a bar stocked with the best liquor and cigars." Beginning in 1914 it would be leased to a series of Basque immigrants which ultimately led to Raymond and Gorgonia Borda purchasing the building in 1921. Unfortunately, prohibition had started the year before and the East Fork Hotel would be the scene of several raids by federal law enforcement. Mr. Borda was arrested 3 times in 1922-23 for violating prohibition and the barroom was actually closed down for 8 months under the abatement law. Future lessees would

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

also find trouble for prohibition violations. In July 1926, John "Super Six" Larralde was leasing the property when he was arrested in a federal raid. He was sentenced to 12 months in the Washoe County jail. This would turn out to be the last raid on the establishment. Mr. and Mrs. Borda lived there until their deaths and the building would come to be alternatively known as the Borda Building. It was finally closed down after a fire on July 17, 1986 and it stood empty until it was torn down in 2014 due to safety concerns.

Erected 2022 by E Clampus Vitus Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.

Location. 38° 56.522′ N, 119° 44.916′ W. Marker is in Gardnerville, Nevada, in Douglas County. It is at the intersection of Courthouse Alley and Gillman Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Courthouse Alley. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1440 Courthouse Alley,

The East Fork Hotel Marker area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Troy ECV Morgan, November 25, 2023

2. The East Fork Hotel Marker area

Actual dedication delayed to 11/25/2023 by Snowshoe Thompson Chapter #1827 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus

Gardnerville NV 89410, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Sierra Nevada,

in the Lake Tahoe Basin,

and in Greater Reno Area.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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: Gardnerville Branch Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Airtanker 130 Is Headed West (within shouting distance of this marker); The French Hotel and Bar (about 300 feet away); Adaven Building (about 400 feet away); Sharkey's Nugget (about 400 feet away); Jensen/Schacht House (about 400 feet away); Arendt Jensen Home (about 400 feet away); Gardnerville (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gardnerville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. East Fork Hotel Building (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another

Paid Advertisement

marker that is related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2023, by Troy ECV Morgan of Carson City, Nevada. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2023, by Troy ECV Morgan of Carson City, Nevada. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.