The first stones for what was originally named the Curtis Hotel were laid near the dusty main street of Alturas in 1908. In 1912 Jay Eugene Niles purchased the building, completed the 2nd and 3rd floor rooms, and renamed it the Niles Hotel.
For many generations the Niles Hotel was the social center of Alturas - - the meeting place of cattlemen, railroad workers, farmers, loggers, salesmen (they were called “drummers” in the early days), tourists and local businessmen. When the Niles Hotel was first built, each of the sixty guest rooms was furnished with a wood burning stove. During winter months the hotel guests would keep warm in their rooms by purchasing an armload of wood at the lobby desk for two bits. Under the ownership of Mitch and Babe Jurasevich (who owned and operated the hotel for over 40 years) “modernization” arrived in the form of lowered ceilings, steam heat, private baths, and the first elevator in Modoc County. The Niles Hotel prospered through the roaring ‘20s, the Great Depression, four major wars, and the administration of fifteen American Presidents.
By the 1970’s, two other large hotels in Alturas, the Warner Hotel and the Modoc Hotel, passed into history either burning to the ground or suffering the indignity of being torn down. In 1976 the Niles Hotel, suffering from neglect, old age, and a series of disinterested owners, was finally closed to the public.
In August of 1976, Stephen and Cheryl Baker purchased the Niles Hotel and set about the challenging task of restoring the landmark to its former glory. The painstaking restoration project eventually would take over twelve years and an investment in antiques, labor, and materials over one million dollars.
The first step in the restoration of the Niles Hotel was to strip tons of plaster from the interior walls and install miles of electrical wiring and a new heating system to replace over eight tons of obsolete radiators. Although electric heating was installed in order to meet current building codes, it is ironic that the most efficient method used to heat the building today remains a variety of antique and modern wood burning stoves (just like in 1908).
False ceilings were removed and the original 14 foot high pressed tin ceilings were painstakingly restored with either the original tin panels or by sections saved from demolished historic buildings in other communities. Over eight thousand square feet of solid oak flooring was installed along with brass and copper chandeliers, wall scones, and other exquisite Victorian lighting fixtures. Each fixture was disassembled, repaired, re-wired, polished and then fitted with original acid etched and pressed glass shades.
The Bakers leased the Niles Hotel to Michelle Marymee from 1995 through 1998, after bringing the hotel back to a place of respect and beauty in the community. The John Vass family purchased the Niles in August 1998. The community enjoyed Mexican cuisine offered at Mi Casa and the special events held over the years. The hotel then slowly slipped into a period where it was plagued by a leaky roof and the lack of tender loving care that a nearly 100 year old hotel requires.
In August of 2011, Jim and Elizabeth Cavasso purchased the ailing Niles Hotel with dreams of reviving the hotel to its previous status as a thriving historical landmark. With the help of the community, family, and friends the Niles Hotel is one again a place where the public may attend social functions, enjoy fine dining, relax with a cocktail or freshly brewed cup of Starbucks coffee, and rest overnight in the beauty of remodeled guest rooms.
Within the Hotel Niles you will find:
• Niles Coffee Company
• Niles Saloon
• J.E. Niles Banquet Room
• Cressler Bonner Private Dining
• High Grade Dining Room
• Guest Rooms
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