The Palace Hotel - San Francisco, California

Unofficial Website for Historical Artifacts

     Until 2019, I had never heard of the Palace Hotel. After planning a week in Napa Valley to tour various vineyards, we decided to spend some time in San Francisco. Primarily a World War II historian, my secondary pastime is staying at historic hotels during our travels. After researching hotels such as the Fairmont and Ritz-Carlton, I came across the Palace Hotel and became instantly enthralled by its beauty and history.

     On April 2nd, we walked through the main lobby doors and were instantly transported back to a time when luxury and attention to detail were the norm at established hotels. It soon became four days of soaking up historical ambiance beyond anything I've experienced in any hotel previously reserved. My obsession with the hotel began that first day and I soon found myself looking up everything I can about the property to learn about its past. While the information and photographs I've been able to find are fantastic, I get the most enjoyment out of viewing (and collecting) the physical objects from throughout its history. I managed to find a few images of the Palace's previous relics, but there are not many to be found. Before long, I began tracking down and obtaining as many pieces from the Palace that I could. There are several items from the hotel's recent past around for purchase, but my primary interest ranges from the original 1875 hotel up to around 1950. Upon our return in 2022, I was able to visit Landmark 18 - the Palace Hotel's historical museum on its history, which is located in the area of the former Barber Shop across from the Rose Room. Curated by the previous hotel manager Clif Clark, the exhibit features relics from the 1875 building all the way through to the April 3rd,1991 reopening. Mr. Clark was kind enough to give us a personal tour of the first floor of the hotel and Landmark 18 while we were there. 

     As my collection continues to grow, I decided to create a website dedicated to showcasing the historical artifacts of the Palace Hotel's history along with brief notes. Unless noted, all items on this site are in my personal collection. The links below are current websites and books with an in-depth look at the history of the hotel.

I am always looking to acquire new pieces for my collection, so if anyone has any Palace Hotel items they are looking to sell or donate,

please contact me through the information below.

Thank you for your interest in the Palace Hotel, San Francisco!

This website is not affiliated with the Palace Hotel, San Francisco. Please do not contact me for hotel information or reservations.