Murphys Hotel
Also known as: Mitchler Hotel
Why it's listed
Murphys Hotel is a two-story stone building at Main and Algiers Streets in Murphys, California, measuring roughly 50 by 95 feet. It began in 1855-56 as the Sperry and Perry Hotel, a stage stop serving traffic to the Calaveras Big Trees. Although considered fireproof, it burned in the fire of 1859, then was rebuilt the following year with walls entirely of stone. The thick walls helped it survive the fire of 1874 and a major explosion and fire in 1893, when only the iron doors and shutters warped. Later owners included C. P. Mitchler, who bought it in 1882, and the McKimmins family, who ran it until 1963. Guests before 1900 reportedly included Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, Horatio Alger and Henry Ward Beecher, and second-floor rooms carry their names. The building has a dining room, bar, banquet room, antique shop and eleven bedrooms, and is described as well kept.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is significant as a surviving Gold Rush-era building and former stage stop on the route to the Calaveras Big Trees. Its stone walls let it survive later fires in 1874 and 1893. It also hosted many notable travelers, including Mark Twain, Horatio Alger and Ulysses S. Grant.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 71000134, listed November 23, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Algiers Sts., Murphys |
|---|---|
| County | Calaveras County |
| Listed | November 23, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000134 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century; specific date 1859 |
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as renovated, in good condition and in use as a hotel with dining room, bar, antique shop and bedrooms. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 38.13742, -120.46493 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 71000134.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q12499602
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.