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National Exchange Hotel
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property
National Hotel Nevada City.jpg
National Hotel in 2007
Location 211 Broad St., Nevada City, California
Built 1856
Architectural style Victorian, brick
Part of Nevada City Downtown Historic District (ID85002520)
NRHP reference No. 73000416
Added to NRHP October 25, 1973

The National Exchange Hotel, also known as the National Hotel, is a very old and famous hotel. You can find it in Nevada City, a town in the state of California. This hotel is special because it's one of the oldest hotels that has been open non-stop west of the Rocky Mountains.

It first opened its doors in August 1856. Back then, it was called "Bicknell Block." Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building in the United States. It's also a California Historical Landmark, showing its importance to California's history.

A Look at the Hotel's History

The National Exchange Hotel has seen many changes over the years. It has a long and interesting past.

Early Days and Challenges

In 1863, a big fire happened. The hotel had to close down for a little while because of the damage. But it was fixed and reopened. This shows how important the hotel was to the town.

By 1894, the hotel got a new look. A beautiful balcony was added to the building. You can see what it looked like back then in old pictures. This new feature made the hotel even more grand.

Important Meetings and Events

The National Hotel was a place where important things happened. A businessman named John J. Jackson once said something interesting. He claimed that a meeting took place at the hotel in 1898. This meeting, he said, led to the creation of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. This company is a very large utility company. It provides electricity and natural gas to many homes and businesses today.

The Hotel in Modern Times

The National Exchange Hotel continues to be a landmark. In 2012, it was even featured on a TV show. The show was called Ghost Adventures. This program explores places that are said to be haunted. Many people enjoy learning about the hotel's long history.

National Hotel in 1894
National Hotel in 1894
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