Palomar Inn - Historical Landmark Hotel

Palomar Inn - Historical Landmark Hotel Web Site        Temecula House of Wine Web Site

The first 'modern' hotel built in Temecula.  The hotel had electricity (electricity came to Temecula in 1922) and indoor restrooms.  Travelers using the Old Highway 395 (today's Front Street) stayed at the hotel on their way from Los Angeles to San Diego and back.  Today a stay at the Palomar Inn Hotel is a memorable step back in time.  Great care has been taken to maintain the authentic look and feel of the hotel.  Reservations can be made by clicking here or using the link above. 

The Palomar Inn Hotel and the Swing Inn Cafe are the only two historic buildings in Temecula that still contain the same type of business that existed when they were built in 1927.

The hotel was originally built and owned by Lena McCulloch, known as "Hotel McCulloch".  It was purchased in 1937 by Irene Gooch and renamed the Palomar Hotel.  During the 1940's many of the hotel's guests were military pensioners.

Purchased in 1954 by the late Robert 'Bob" Majeski.  Bob was the first President of the Temecula Town Association and organized the original Temecula Frontier Days.  Bob spent many nights at the hotel when in the military and eventually became a full time boarder and handyman prior to his purchase of it.

World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Gene Tunney (1926-28) and Jack Sharkey (1932-33) spent many nights at the Palomar Inn.  They were often in town working out in a gymnasium built by Joe Winkel's on the second floor of his Ramona Inn that is down the street.

Rumor has it that Clint Eastwood may have stayed at the hotel while shooting an episode of an early T.V. Western in the area.

In 1966 a sci-fi television show, THE INVADERS, was filmed in Temecula.  Episode 1 "The Beachhead" contained many of the buildings in Old Town with the Palomar Inn playing a prominent role.  The first episode aired on television, January 10, 1967.  The episode starred Roy Thinnes as David Vincent and Diane Baker as "a mutant alien".  The series aired for 2 years at the same time as the original Star Trek series was aired.

In 1993  a devastating flood occurred in Old Town Temecula.  The Murrieta Creek overflowed its banks sending several feet of water and mud into the old hotel and other businesses.  The high water mark is still visible today on a cabinet in the hotel's lobby.  The resulting damage in Old Town eventually exceeded $21,000,000.

During its 82 year history the Palomar Inn has contained several businesses including a saloon, small drugstore and soda fountain, Greyhound Bus Stop, U.S. Post Office, and a boarding house.  Today the building is not only an active hotel but it is also home to the Temecula House of Wine, a unique wine and gift shop containing the wines of 40 local wineries located in the Temecula Wine Country.

Haunted Palomar Hotel?

Of course, one of the most interesting aspects of the Palomar Inn - Historical Landmark Hotel are the claims of guests hearing 'mysterious' footsteps outside their room or on the stairs when no other guests were staying at the hotel.  There is even a recent personal experience where a  housekeeper was 'interrupted' when she saw an apparition cross the hall from one room to another right in front of her.  Astonishingly there are pictures of orbs and EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings to add credibility to these experiences.  For an example of recent possible paranormal activity at the hotel click here.

SOURCES:

Temecula at the Crossroads of History. Phil Brigandi. Heritage Media Corp.: 1999.

The High County (Historical Biannual). Pam Grender. Temecula, CA: Temecula Valley Museum: No. 70 - Fall 2006.

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House of Wine

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