Upper Lake in Lake County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Tallman Hotel

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 15, 2011

1. The Tallman Hotel Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Sometime before 1874, Rufus Tallman and his wife Mary Ellen established the Tallman Hotel on this site. When it burnt down in 1895, they rebuilt. The name was changed to Riffe's Hotel when their daughter Winnyford and their son-in-law Hank Riffe took over in about 1906. After Hank's death in 1937, Winnie ran the hotel as a boarding house. From the late 1940's into the 1950's, it served as an old folks home.

Next door, the original Blue Wing Saloon was also operated by the Tallman's. It closed and was torn down during prohibition in the 1920's under Riffe's management.

The hotel sat empty from the early 1960's until it was purchased by Lynn and Bernie Butcher in 2003. They rebuilt the Saloon and restored the Hotel to its original rustic beauty.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 39° 9.899′ N, 122° 54.638′ W. Marker is in Upper Lake, California, in Lake County. Marker is on Main Street north of First Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9550 Main Street, Upper Lake CA 95485, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Ice House (a few steps from this marker); Upper Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); The Livery Stable (within shouting distance of this marker); League's Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Upper Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); The IOOF Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Diamond Match Lumber Co. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The West Side of Main Street (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Upper Lake.

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

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 15, 2011

2. The Tallman Hotel Marker- wide view

The marker(barely visible here) is mounted on a pole just next to the sidewalk bench between the Tallman Hotel and the Blue Wing Saloon. The hotel itself is visible in the background.

1890s drawing of Tallman Hotel, Saloon and Livery Stable Complex image. Click for full size.

3. 1890s drawing of Tallman Hotel, Saloon and Livery Stable Complex

The Tallman Hotel in the 1920s image. Click for full size.

circa 1920s

4. The Tallman Hotel in the 1920s

The Tallman Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Butcher, August 2003

5. The Tallman Hotel

Abandoned Tallman Hotel at date of purchase by Lynne and Bernie Butcher, August 2003

Photographed By Bernard Butcher, October 25, 2006

6. The Tallman Hotel

Renovated Tallman Hotel with Riffe's Meeting House in the foreground.

The Blue Wing Saloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 15, 2011

7. The Blue Wing Saloon

The Blue Wing Saloon and the Tallman Hotel - looking north image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 15, 2011

8. The Blue Wing Saloon and the Tallman Hotel - looking north

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 15, 2011

9. The Tallman Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,184 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 15, 2014, by Bernard Butcher of Upper Lake, Ca 95485. 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 2, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.