History
of the Historic National Hotel, B&B
In 1859, Heinrich and Hannah Neilson established a hotel, bar
and restaurant, that was to become known as the National
Hotel. The two wooden buildings were among the first permanent
structures in this early (1848) gold-rush town of Jamestown.
Earlier establishments were mostly tent and non-permanent
wooden structures. The National Hotel has been in continuous
operation from this date having survived two damaging fires
in 1901 and 1927.
 The
fire of 1901 destroyed several
blocks of Jamestown, but only damaged the National
Hotel. Fire in 1927 destroyed the Forester Hall, located
next door, and severely damaged the National Hotel, which
had to then be remodeled. Today’s restoration work
was begun in 1974 by present owners and has been ongoing
some 32 years later.
During Prohibition, the National Hotel was raided several
times. as read in The Union Democrat of January 5, 1927,
which stated that government agents were looking for liquor.
Agents seized; 9 - 50 gallon barrels of wine, 1 - 100 gallon
barrel of wine, 1 - demijohn of wine, 2 - 10 gallon kegs
of brandy and corn whiskey. Owner, Joe Graziano was fined
$500
Legalized prostitution was conducted here until the late
1930's and gambling including slot machines until 1949.
The original back bar is still utilized today and
a working cash register dating to 1881 is also in view, although
it
is handicapped by the fact that a maximum of $6.95 can be
rung at any one time. Much of the wood wainscoting which
is visible throughout the building is original, although
it was originally built as floor to ceiling wall paneling.
 A gold mine shaft remains at the rear of the garden courtyard,
although it is covered and usually full of water. Someday,
we may open it and add a water fountain.
Plumbing was added to the individual rooms of the hotel
in 1979-80. Prior to this, during the 1920's, an exterior
building was added, which contained a single bathroom, with
toilet, sink and bathtub, to service the hotel rooms.
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