Hughes Hotel, Fresno

Hughes Hotel, Fresno

Buildings, 19th Century -- Hughes Hotel-- 19th Century, Fresno, CA

The Grill Room at the Hughes was created in what had been a courtyard space with the hotel first opened. You can see a circular planter in the middle of the picture where a fountain or tree had been planted when the hotel first opened. The stairway leads to the many second floor parlors. The Hughes Hotel was built in 1887 by Thomas Hughes. It was on two lots at Tulare and I Street (now Broadway). It was a four story brick structure with bay corner windows. It was Fresno's first four story building and first elevator. It also was the first hotel with electric lights generated on the premises, they also were the first to have telephones in every room and eventually the first neon sign. The Hughes Hotel was very prominent in early Fresno life, many performances and clubs met within. It was the victim of arson in July 1953. The same afternoon 9 other structures, mostly hotels, were hit by arsonists.

1 photograph : b&w, 8 x 10 in.

San Joaquin Valley Library System

Fresno County Public Library

This image is being made available for educational and research purposes only, under the “fair use” clause of the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 § 107 U.S.C.) Further questions regarding the image or its use may be directed to the Fresno County Public Library, Heritage Center, 2420 Mariposa St, Fresno, CA 93721. Phone: 559-600-6230 HeritageCenter@fresnolibrary.org

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