Calaveras County’s oldest continuously operated hotel began as a family home built in 1851 by Joseph and Sarah Goodell of Maine, who later relocated to Stockton. In 1853 Peter and Nancy Avery, also of Maine, began operating it as a hotel. Its famous guests have included Alfalfa of “Our Gang” fame and such western legends as Black Bart and Roy Rogers. Owners and guests have reliably reported that the benign spirits of a late 19th century sea captain and a locally revered school mistress still occasionally visit the hotel. Hazel Fischer, the school mistress, lived in the hotel for 30 years until her death in 1967 and was responsible for forming the Avery School District. The hotel was purchased in 1922 by the Cotelli Family, who carried out extensive renovations, and since 1991 further restoration has taken place as it continues to provide fine dining and a gracious atmosphere for its guests.