The first building on this site, known as the Lake Street House, was completed in 1877. Later called the Farmer's Home, it catered to farmers and laborers. In 1880, that building burned to the ground along with three adjacent buildings. The present building was erected in 1881 by farmer Francis X. Schluttenhofer and was renamed the National Hotel by Conrad Zoll. From 1915 until 1949, J.F. and T.A. Bremmeyr operated it as the Franklin Hotel. From the 1970s to 2001, Shirley Hill operated a specialty gift shop called In The Woods here.