Martin Hotel, listed on the NRHP in Humboldt County
The Martin Hotel is a historic building in Winnemucca founded as a tavern in 1898 and converted to a hotel in 1913 by French owners Augustine and Elisee Martin. Reconstructed after a 1920 fire, the vernacular commercial structure includes a restaurant and guest rooms that served travelers and long-term residents.
The building began as a Roman Tavern in 1898 and was transformed into a hotel in 1913 by French brothers. After a major fire in 1920, the structure was rebuilt and remained active under management by Basque families until the 1970s.
The hotel served as a gathering place for Basque sheepherders who worked throughout the region and continues to offer traditional Basque cuisine today. This connection keeps local cultural traditions alive for visitors and residents who value the community's heritage.
The hotel sits on West Railroad Street and is easy to locate for travelers passing through town. Visitors should allow time to explore the simple but solid structure and notice original details that reflect its age and past.
During Prohibition, alcohol was secretly hidden in a concealed space in the attic to evade authorities. A memorable local story tells of police pouring whiskey into the street, which drew crowds rushing outside to taste what was flowing down.
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