San Dimas Hotel, historic hotel building in California, United States
The San Dimas Hotel is a Victorian building in the Queen Anne style, completed in 1887, located in downtown San Dimas, California. Designed by architect Joseph Cather Newsom, it features shingle siding, wrap-around balconies, corner towers, 14 fireplaces, and decorative glass windows beneath a diamond-patterned shingled roof with a sunburst medallion.
The building went up in 1887 along the railroad line connecting Los Angeles and San Bernardino, placing it among the first structures in the newly formed town of San Dimas. The Walker family bought it in 1889 and lived there for nearly 90 years, turning it into a private home rather than the hotel it was built to be.
The building hosted the first school classes and church services in San Dimas, making it a gathering point long before the town had dedicated public spaces. Later, the Walker family ran a restaurant inside, drawing visitors from across the region.
The building now operates as a museum and community space, with guided tours offered on select days and displays of period furniture, photographs, and everyday objects from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It sits in the center of San Dimas, so nearby shops and cafes are within easy walking distance after the visit.
The lumber used to build the structure was floated down the coast by sea, since local building materials were scarce in the region at the time. This is part of why the wooden frame has survived in such good condition, as the timber was chosen with care before being shipped.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
