Franco American Hotel Building

From a narrow, two story brick house in the 1850s, the Franco American Hotel grew into one of the largest and finest inns in Northern California, with a 167 foot frontage. Started by the Frenchman Leon Marniesse in 1855, it housed a restaurant, Wells Fargo and Company Express Office, saloon, and other businesses, and became a well-known stage stop. Over the years, improvements included a piazza or balcony across the front, additional suites of sleeping rooms upstairs, and a two-story brick dining room. Among its prominent guests were Vice President Colfax, General and Mrs. Philip Sheridan, and President Hayes.

Yreka, California · United States