Wolf Creek Tavern
Wolf Creek Inn
Wolf Creek Tavern was built c. 1883 by Henry Smith, a highly successful and influential local entrepreneur. The establishment of the hotel, mercantile and post office occurred at the time the Oregon and California Railroad was being completed in Wolf Creek. It is thought to be the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Pacific Northwest. The building is a superb example of Classical Revival architecture style of early inns of the American West.
When the Pacific Highway reached Wolf Creek in 1922, traffic increased as did the number of clientele stopping at the Tavern. In 1925, hotel owner-manager John Dougall added a guest wing, kitchen, and simi-circular drive and gateway signs. His creative marketing included claims that famous guests such as President Rutherford B. Hayes, Jack London, and Sinclair Lewis stayed at the Tavern -- claims that endure as local legend.
Wolf Creek Tavern was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, conveyed to the State of Oregon in 1975, carefully restored by local craftspeople and re-opened in 1979 by Oregon State Parks.
Marker is at the intersection of Front Street and Lower Wolf Creek Road, on the right when traveling south on Front Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
