Rich in History
Dive into our Past
Since 1907, the Mizpah Hotel has been an oasis of comfort in the stark beauty of Nevada’s high desert.
Our History
Originally Opened in 1907, the Mizpah Hotel was one of the first luxury hotels in all of Nevada, serving as a social hub for the booming mining town.
1900s
1907
Built for $200,000, with solid granite walls, leaded glass windows, and Victorian-era luxury appointments, the hotel featured solid oak furniture, hot and cold running water, steam heat, brass chandeliers, stained glass windows, and an electric elevator (one of the first in the state). At five stories, it was also the tallest building in Nevada at the time.
1907
Gaming came to the Mizpah in the 1940s. The first chips were issued in 1945, and the casino included a roulette wheel, craps table, blackjack, and 80 slot machines. With the ebb and flow of population, The Mizpah Hotel closed its doors in 1999.
1940
2011
In 2011, Fred and Nancy Cline of Sonoma, California, purchased the hotel and began renovations that returned this historic property to its former glory.
2011
Jack Dempsey
He is remembered today as the legend of boxing, was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1919 to 1926.
But did you know that Jack Dempsey’s first bouts were bare-knuckle brawls in Tonopah and Goldfield? Some of those fights lasted 25 rounds!
Dempsey was also a miner, gambler, and bouncer before finding fame as a boxer. Today our elegant dining room bears his name!
Key Pittman
He was a United States senator from Nevada from 1913 to 1940. He was fond of Tonopah and was a frequent guest at the Mizpah Hotel.
Legend has it that Senator Pittman died of a heart attack on the eve of the 1940 election, and supporters kept his body on ice in a Mizpah bathtub until the election was over and his successor could be appointed.
While some dispute the story, others insist on its accuracy. We honor Key Pittman with out casual and everyday dining restaurant, The Pittman Cafe.