The Avalon Hotel, originally named The Mississinewa Hotel, was built by the Gas City Land Company in 1892. It became an important part of Gas City's history as the crossroads of two beloved Gas City mayors, Robert "Bob" Ray, a six-term mayor, and Eugene "Beaner" Linn, a nine-term mayor. Robert Ray and his wife, Marguerite, owned the hotel for over 50 years, and Eugene "Beaner" Linn was born there on May 15, 1934.