Mount View Hotel
Why it's listed
Built in 1919 on Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga, this two-story reinforced concrete hotel was the work of John Ghisolfo, an Italian-born winemaker and hotelier. He chose the Mission Revival style because it suited durable, fire-resistant concrete, an important quality after fires in 1901 and 1907 had nearly destroyed the business district. Rear wings added in the 1930s raised the room count from 24 to 45, and the interior was modernized in Art Deco design while the exterior kept its Mission Revival look. The hotel offered moderately priced lodging, meals and piped-in mineral water in a town known for spas and hot springs. Ghisolfo owned and managed it until 1964 and served as mayor and councilman for 32 years; a local lake bears his name. The building has been restored to its 1930s appearance, with original furniture, light fixtures, bar and Art Deco hardware retained, and it again serves travellers with 34 rooms.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel reflects Calistoga's growth, notably as a spa and mineral-water resort town. It is also significant for its place in the town's architecture, pairing a Mission Revival exterior with an Art Deco interior. A third basis is the civic contributions of its builder, John Ghisolfo, who served Calistoga for 32 years as mayor or councilman.
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 82002211, listed April 12, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1457 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | April 12, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002211 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | John Ghisolfo (original owner/builder); form lists builder/architect as "Possibly Rosari" |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival exterior with Art Deco interior |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Commerce, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a hotel; restored to its 1930s appearance, with first-floor alterations made in the 1950s and 1970s and a new rear swimming pool. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 38.57947, -122.57769 (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 82002211.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q111393322
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.