Wolf Creek Inn

Retreat provides historical spirit

by Patrice Raplee

This is the kind of place you might think the world had lost. Nestled in the hills of southern Oregon, Wolf Creek is a tiny community, with a population of about 50. The Wolf Creek Inn is 111 years old and the oldest active travelers' hotel in Oregon.

Purchased by the Oregon State Parks department in the '70s and beautifully restored, this historical Inn was the retreat of Hollywood stars from the '20s and '30s. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard arriving in their limousine, would often sneak away from the pressures of the movie industry for weeks at a time to stay at the Inn. Photographs of Gable and Lombard adorn the walls of the suite where they stayed and is now aptly called the "Clark Gable" suite.

Writer Jack London finished one of his stories while ensconced in a tiny room on the second floor. Part of the original wing, London's room is now open only for viewing.

Beautifully preserved, the Inn was built in 1883 by merchant-entrepreneur Henry Smith. It survived structural additions, multiple concessionaires and the constant flow of travelers that have passed through Wolf Creek riding in stagecoaches to Mercedes. At present, nine rooms are available for guests. Decorated with antiques of the era, the rooms are cozy and comfortable. All the rooms have quilts on the beds, old fashioned lamps and braided rugs. The bathrooms are modern and wheel-chair accommodations are set up in one of the ground floor rooms. There are no phones or televisions to mar the serenity of the rooms; however, a public phone is located in the main hallway.

"Tasty cuisine" has been the maxim of the Inn's restaurant since 1883. Located on the main floor, this gourmet restaurant is worth the trip. Executive Chef Dean Kasner has recently taken over the management of the kitchen and assists the Innkeeper. Educated in the United States and Europe, this chef's creations are divine. All the food is prepared from scratch, local produce and fruit from the Inn's orchard are used in many of the dishes and sauces. The aroma of freshly baked bread and rolls is enthralling as you sit next to the window with a view of the orchard, or by the warm glow of the fireplace.

Several trademark appetizers, entrees and desserts are the focal point of the Inn's menu. Wild Mushroom and Potato Cakes with basil mayonnaise; Hearty Steak and Wild Mushroom Soup; Honey and Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Strawberry-Chocolate Mousse are just a few of the heavenly house creations. Seafood, pasta, New York pizzas and calzones are also available. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with a Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Reminiscent of the early '30s, a fried chicken dinner is served on Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m.

Innkeeper Darrell Hames is fairly new to his post as well, though you would never suspect. Hames has researched the history of the Inn, as well as the outlying community and has a gift for oratory this writer has seldom heard. Versed in details about each of the rooms, Hames will guide you on a tour of the hotel that will literally take you back in time. Many interesting events have transpired through the years and the physical evidence left by the people who have stayed at the Inn has been well preserved. Cowboys used to spend the night in the attic for the bargain price of 10 cents. Sticking their spurs deeply into the hand hewn beams so they wouldn't fall through the floor, the cowboys' spur marks are still there. The original men's and lady's sitting rooms are still in use to this day by guests of the hotel.

A quiet place to read a book by the fire, or play a game of Scrabble, both parlors have spectacular Victorian ambiance. The Wolf Creek Inn has excellent service, fantastic cuisine, reasonable prices and it's the closest you will ever get to know what it was like to live in the Victorian era. Just off I-5, about 45 minutes south of Roseburg, Ore., the Wolf Creek Inn is a fascinating place to take a trip back into the past with modern-day hospitality. For more information call (541) 866-2474 or write to: Wolf Creek Inn, P.O. Box 6, Wolf Creek, Oregon 97497.

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