Lyndon Hotel Placemat
Name/Title
Lyndon Hotel PlacematEntry/Object ID
2011.683Description
Rectangular placemat with red illustrations and text detailing the history of the hotel and the town of Los Gatos.Collection
History CollectionCataloged By
registrar@numulosgatos.orgMade/Created
Date made
circa 1960Time Period
20th CenturyInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
LabelLocation
Front of placematTranscription
THE STORY OF FAMED LYNDON HOTEL / Lyndon Hotel is considered one of the oldest hotels in California for continuous operation. It is successor to the first hotel in Los Gatos, started by pioneer John W. Lyndon in 1864, in a building used also as a stage office and the town's first postoffice. (At that time a traveler - for 10 cents - could water his horses at the trough in front, then for no additional cost, go inside and get himself a drink of whiskey.). In 1868 a hotel building which became the Ten Mile House was put up on the east side of what is now Santa Cruz Avenue; at present, site of the Southern Pacific depot. Then followed a life span that is nearing the century mark and which the numeral "eight" (8) has figured prominently in the hotel's history. In 1878 the railroad entered Los Gatos and wanted the hotel site for a depot. So Lyndon deeded the property and in turn the SP moved his hotel to the west side of the street at its present location. It then became the Los Gatos Hotel. In 1888 the hotel was greatly enlarged. In 1898 Los Gatos Hotel burned down. Rebuilt during the next two years it became - and still is - Lyndon Hotel. In 1958 - after passing through six different ownerships in the past half century - Ben F. Knuth took over and started the famed old landmark on a new era for the fascination of its guests. Looking backward, the hotel guest list includes a president, royalty, governors, statesmen, writers, famous personalities of stage and screen, and from many other fields of cultural accomplishment. In renovating Lyndon Hotel, owner Knuth has kept its original Colonial architecture, typical of the New Orleans influence, with its wide verandas, dormers, iron grille work and other features. Historic LYNDON HOTEL / LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA / IN WESTERN WOODED FOOTHILLS OVERLOOKING FAMOUS SANTA CLARA VALLEY / ASK FOR LYNDON HOTEL PLACEMAT IF YOU WISH ONE TO KEEP / BEN F. KNUTH, OWNER / N.A. (TONY) ANZALONE, MGR. how LOS GATOS got its name! / LOS GATOS - in Spanish meaning "The Cats" - was named by the first settler - José Hernandez, in 1839. Seeking a new home for his family, his party climbed El Sereno (the mountain which guards Los Gatos from the southwest.). Looking out over the valley the vista as breath-taking. "This is the spot - if only there is water!" Then they came upon two wildcats fighting. An Indian guide indicated that the presence of wildcats meant water was near at hand. Following the cats as the animals retreated, the party found water in abundance. Jubilantly, José Hernandez cried out, "This is where I will establish my rancho and it will be called La Rinconada de los Gatos" - meaning The Corner of the Cats, in English. That's how Los Gatos got its name!Language
EnglishMaterial/Technique
InkLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
PlacematNomenclature Primary Object Term
Linen, TableNomenclature Sub-Class
Food Service AccessoriesNomenclature Class
Food Service T&ENomenclature Category
Category 04: Tools & Equipment for MaterialsDimensions
Width
16 inLength
10-1/4 inMaterial
PaperCondition
Overall Condition
GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Mrs. McCarthyNotes
DonorPerson or Organization
Hotel LyndonExhibitions
The Los Gatos History Project: Uncovering Untold Stories - Phase 1
The Los Gatos History Project: Uncovering Untold Stories - Phase 2
The Los Gatos History Project: Uncovering Untold Stories - Phase 3