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Surrounded by over 170,000 acres of protected redwood forests and dramatically situated overlooking the banks of the South Fork of the Eel River, with gorgeous views of the steelhead filled river, this historic house is the Redwood Manor (Previously featured in November 2013 Newsletter). 

This extraordinary country estate was designed to resemble a Scottish estate by Julia Morgan, who is best known for her work on Hearst Castle, in San Simeon, California.  Commissioned in 1926, the estate was part of a planned 1,290 acre resort for the Benbow family.  
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From the Commissioner, 
What can be better than the Redwoods for your next location?  How about the Benbow Historic Inn in the middle of redwoods?  This month's location spotlight celebrates historic architecture in the most unlikely place.  

~ Cassandra Hesseltine, Humboldt & Del Norte Film Commissioner
Benbow Historic Inn

 

The Inn

The Benbow Historic Inn, a Garberville resort in the redwoods, was designed by architect Albert Farr, who was most noted for The Wolf House - the home he designed for author Jack London in Glen Ellen, CA. Farr was commissioned by the Benbow family to create the cornerstone for the resort community they intended to build in their 1,290 acre valley.  

 

Set above the banks of the Eel River, the Inn's beautiful location and distinctive Tudor design has earned the resort the reputation as a National Treasure and Northern California getaway - intriguing travelers for eight decades.  Benbow Historic Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and a proud member of Historic Hotels of America.   


The Benbow Family

The "Hotel Benbow" (as it was originally called) opened to the public in July of 1926. Built by the Benbow family - nine talented brothers and sisters who also constructed the Benbow Dam, Power Company, and later, the Golf Course and RV Park, the hotel became a 

popular destination for motoring tourists traveling up the newly-completed Redwood Highway. John and Teresa Porter with Jack Macdonald purchased the Inn in 1994.

 

Home to the Stars On The Range

The combination of seclusion and elegant hospitality also served as quite an attraction for the early Hollywood elite. Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, Alan Ladd, Charles Laughton, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, Joan Fontaine, Basil Rathbone were all patrons of the Inn.

 

Dignitaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover and Lord Halifax also enjoyed the Benbow hospitality. Guests enjoyed all the amenities of fine dining and luxurious rooms, along with the best of the great outdoors: riding stables, golf course, hiking trails, swimming, boating and fishing in the Eel river.

Inside the Inn

The Inn has kept the decor classic and elegant and includes a large 
dining room, sitting space with fireplace in lobby and charming inn rooms. 
Outside the Inn

 











  The Inn is set a midst striking gardens in a relaxing setting along the Eel River. 
An old stone bridge arches over the water providing a serene backdrop. The rose 
garden features over 80 different varieties of this romantic flower.
Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission  | | [email protected] |  filmhumboldtdelnorte.org
1385 8th Street, Suite 106
Arcata, CA 95521