Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel Burns Down
April 23, 2009 – 5:45 pm
November 22, 1963
When the Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel burned down the city lost a 42-year-old landmark and the Police Department office.
They were lucky there were no injuries. The fire broke out at 3 am in the basement and within 45 minutes had raced three stories up the elevator shaft to the roof. The Hotel located at the corner of 13th and Spring Streets was half a block from the Paso Robles Fire Department. Though a total of 7 engines from Atascadero, Camp Roberts and State Department of Forestry fought the blaze the building was a total loss.
Four prisoners in the city jail had to be evacuated to the county jail and four caretakers sleeping in the building got out safely. The three-story hotel had been closed for remodeling three months earlier.
Policemen cleared their office of radios, teletypes, records and furniture as water dripped through the ceiling from eight streams of water.
The Police Department was in an annex to the main building but when fire spread to the roof the facility was deemed beyond saving. They moved to the old telephone building on the 700 block of 14th street.
On almost any other day this story would have been the front page lead story, this day it was only good enough for page 3. The whole front page was given over to bigger story, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Can a Paso Robles resident help out and tell us which corner the hotel was on?
View Larger Map
Other items on the page include trailer spaces for rent at Silver City Mobile Home Manor in Morro Bay for $25-35 a month.
One of the prisoners had started an unrelated fire in the jail shortly before the hotel caught fire.
The 1964 Ford Falcon was featured in an advertisement with a choice of engines, either 3 money nursing six cylinder models or a powerful 164 horsepower V-8. Totally restyled, total performance, roomy comfort, and a plush ride what’s not to like?
7 Responses to “Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel Burns Down”
Wow, I can’t believe it was the same day as the Kennedy assassination. Talk about timing!
By Sarah on Apr 24, 2009
If I remember right it was on the northeast
corner of the intersection. Was only in it a couple of times in the early 60’s
By Bob on Apr 25, 2009
That’s right, Bob. My mom used to waitress at the hotel some time before it caught fire. Most of us who were in high school only heard about or were in shock over the President’s assassination, so little thought was given to the fire. It was certainly a day of tears for our little town.
By Dave Skinner on Apr 26, 2009
Thanks all for the comments. I appreciate the help with finding the correct corner, it had me stumped.
By David Middlecamp on Apr 28, 2009
Sarah,
What is so unbelievable about the “timing” of the fire? The world didn’t stop turning just because Kennedy got shot. Other people died just like any other day, people went to work just like any other day, buildings burned just like any other day.
By James on Jun 2, 2009
I remember it so well, we lived on 28th St in Paso, and could see a black cloud over the downtown area, Dad said, is it going to rain…then we found out about the fire. I was in the 8th grade, and out of school that day and went to work with my Dad at Camp San Luis , we then heard about Kennedy and Dad and I cam home early. What a day that was. Remember the hotel too was a really nice place once…wish it could have been saved. Later the BofA bank was there and now it’s a pizzaa place i think. I was from Paso Born in 51…so many nice little places downtown, and now paso is way too big…Remember there used to be only three stop lights, cruising up and down spring street in High School…Oh what memories.
By Kerry Drennan on Jul 20, 2009
Another bit if info…The Hotel was original called the Tayor Hotel. Also on the top of the sign was a blue light. It was used prior to radios, for the police department to signal and officer that they had a call to respond too. Oh yea, the restruant made the best milk shakes too….
By Kerry Drennan on Jul 20, 2009