Murphys in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Sperry Hotel

The Mitchler Hotel

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 6, 2010

1. Old Sperry Hotel Marker

Inscription. This hostelry originally built in 1855 by J. L. Sperry of Sperry Flour fame and his partner John Perry. Among early guests whose names appear on old register are Mark Twain, Horatio Alger, Thomas H. Lipton, Henry Ward Beecher, the Rothchilds General U.S. Grant, and C. E. Bolton (Black Bart). The quaint old hotel, according to tradition, is one referred to in Bret Harte’s “A Night in Wingdam”. Murphy’s Camp founded in early ’49 by John and Daniel Murphy, brothers. Millions of gold taken from Camp and vicinity.

Erected 1948 by Historical Landmark Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West, Ruby Parlor No. 46, Native Daughters of the Golden West. (Marker Number 267.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 38° 8.262′ N, 120° 27.899′ W. Marker is in Murphys, California, in Calaveras County. Marker is on Main Street west of South Algiers Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted on the front of the Murphys Hotel to the

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left of the entrance doors. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 457 Main Street, Murphys CA 95247, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Murphys Hotel (here, next to this marker); Peter L. Traver Building (a few steps from this marker); Thompson Building (a few steps from this marker); Jones Apothecary – Cheap Cash Store (a few steps from this marker); The Old Fisk Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Maj. James D. Savage (within shouting distance of this marker); John Murphy (within shouting distance of this marker); E Clampus Vitus (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphys.

Regarding Old Sperry Hotel. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 267 on September 3, 1937 as The Mitchler Hotel
Statement of Significance:
This is one of the oldest hotels still operating in California. First called the Sperry and Perry Hotel, it was opened by James L. Sperry and John Perry on August 20, 1856. Henry Atwood was its proprietor in 1881 - later, ownership passed to Harvey Blood. Renamed the Mitchler Hotel in 1882, and the Murphys Hotel in 1945 by the McKimins family, it was bought by a College of the Pacific group in 1963.

Murphys Hotel and the Old Sperry Hotel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 6, 2010

2. Murphys Hotel and the Old Sperry Hotel Marker

This marker is seen on the right. The center marker is the nearby "Murphys Hotel" marker and the left marker is the NRHP Plaque.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 6, 2010

3. NRHP Plaque

This plaque is mounted to the left of the Murphys Hotel State Historic Landmark Marker.

Murphys Hotel Decorated for the 4th of July Holiday image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 6, 2010

4. Murphys Hotel Decorated for the 4th of July Holiday

HABS 1940 Re-Photo image. Click for more information.

V. Covert Martin Collection, circa 1860s

5. HABS 1940 Re-Photo

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) HABS CA-1109
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,168 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on December 13, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 7, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on July 8, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.