The famous 1906 brick hotel was once called the “Mayo Clinic of the West” and attracted visitors and patients from around the world. Hot Lake’s heyday lasted into the mid-1930s until a devastating fire in 1934 destroyed all wooden structures, but the 1906 brick building survived.
On May 7, 1934, a fire destroyed the majority of the building’s right side, completely demolishing the wooden structures of the hotel, but the brick portion of the building survived. The building had contained nearly 300 rooms and dining areas for over 1,000 guests prior to the fire. From then on, business at the hotel declined, and eventually, the hospital area on the third floor was the only functioning business.
A flight school and nurse’s training center was established at the hotel during World War II, and U.S. Route 30 was later built, with Oregon Route 203 branching off of it and running right by the front of the hotel grounds. The attraction of the complex declined in later years, and its use as a resort came to a halt in 1953 when it was converted solely to a nursing home. By 1975, ownership of the building had changed, and a short-lived restaurant and nightclub was opened, which only ran for two years. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Lyle Griffith purchased the property and used one corner of the hotel as a bath house; within a few years the bath house closed down, and the hotel was abandoned, falling prey to local vandals and the elements.
The building sat abandoned and decrepit for over fifteen years. In 2003, the building, which was literally falling apart, was purchased from Charles and Louise Rhea by David Manuel. Restoration began soon after; the building was greatly dilapidated, with all 368 windows broken and/or missing, and a sparsely remaining roof. After two years of construction, it was opened to the public for tours in 2005, while individual guest rooms were still being sponsored and renovated. In 2008, the west wing of the building collapsed. In 2010, the building functioned as a bed and breakfast, with dozens of restored rooms, a spa, restaurant, bronze foundry, and a museum. By 2019 the harsh Eastern Oregon elements had begun to undo years of hard work by the Manuel family.
The owners of Grande Hot Springs RV Resort next door to Hot Lake Springs bought the property in 2020. Reopened in 2021 as The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs, restoration is underway and will include many historic preservation projects, including the Grand Entry Porch, Veranda, Balustrade, and Historic Spring House.
Current amenities include a new hot springs soaking area, updated rooms, and beer, wine, and cider sales on-site. The Thermal Pub and Eatery is open, along with a 2nd run movie theater with food/beer service, and day use soaking. Work continues to open multiple pubs, conference space, a restaurant, concert venue, and spa.
Visit HotLakeLodge.com for more details! Books on the history of the Hot Lake Hotel are available in our office from author Dick Roth.
