In the 1890, the Hanford Development Company was organized, among those whose membership were J. E. Rawlings and J. S. Robinson, for the sole purpose of erecting the Artesia Hotel on the corner of Front (6th) Street and Irwin Street. In the disastrous fire of June 1891, the grand hotel was destroyed, after only a few months of even larger size was reopened on the first day of July 1892. The plush hotel was the largest and tallest building in Hanford until the construction of the Opera House and Grand Central Hotel at the southeast corner of Irwin and Seventh Street across the an alley from the Artesia in 1893. The most beutiful Artesia Hotel was considered to be the best conducted hotels in the San Janquin Valley! The location was convenient to businesses and transportation was provided to and from the arriving and departing trains which stopped at the passenger station.

The Artesia Hotel's grandeur dominated Front Street which was, at the time, the main street of the railroad community. After 1897, when the San Francisco and San Janquin Valley Railroad began service to Hanford, its passengers used the lovely Artesia Hotel as well. It was its grand lobby that made the Artesia Hotel so unique. When they walked into the lobby, which was two stories tall. they were delighted woth the magnificent domed Tiffany skylight. The sun shining through the glass made colored shadows over the lush fern garden at the base of the sparkling Artesian fountain. The grand staircase, eith its Victorian carved banister, railing and curved arches led to a balcony. Varicolored hardwoods were used to pattern the lobby floor.

Early occupannts of the street level shops included the Artesia Barber Shop of Richeson and Bennett, Bush and Hight's Abstract Office, and Dodge and Graves' Artesia Drug Store.

The Artesia Hotel building was renovated in the early 1980's to a near original appearance from the outside, providing office space and shops on the inside. Although the fountain and fern garden has been removed, tenants and visotrs still enjoy the antique skylight and pressed metal ceilings.

• Ride Amtrak to Historic Hanford - Amtrak reservations: 800-872-7245
• Ride to and from your destination on our 1950 Studebaker Fire Truck
• Take an escorted walking tour with a Show-Off Tour Guide
• Ride the antique Carousel - reservations: 559-582-5024