Project to Push Hotel Into Its 3rd Century

The Stage Stop Hotel has undergone many a metamorphosis throughout its long history: as a hotel, a men’s boarding house, a private residence and an antique store. Depending on who is asked, the building, at 6601 Beach Blvd., across the street from the city’s Civic Center, was constructed in 1875 or 1890. Either way, it will be going through yet another change--a $380,000 rehabilitation project just approved by the City Council at a recent meeting.

The exterior of the building will be restored to its original look, and the interior, 16 rooms in all, will be converted to modern office space. At the moment, the historic landmark--next to the Santa Ana Freeway and facing one of the busiest streets in Orange County--is deteriorating quietly and unnoticed.

It was during the latter part of the 19th century, when Beach Boulevard was but a dusty road, that stagecoach travelers stopped at the saloon, the only watering hole for miles.

They came to the large, white, two-story hotel from Los Angeles and San Diego, from San Bernardino and Huntington Beach or farther south, Newport Beach and Corona del Mar.

In 1997, the last family, 11 members in all, moved out. City Council members had been keeping an eye on the building and when it went up for sale, officials placed the item on the agenda. Council members said to bid on it and, to be safe, bid $100 more than the asking price.

The city was the only bidder and got the deed for $199,100.

“We could have saved $100,” said Wes Morgan, assistant city manager. To be on the safe side, the council approved a $427,000 budget for the project, and the next step includes getting bids from contractors, Morgan said. Construction should begin by the first of the year.

The tenants for the building will include three employees from the Buena Park Convention and Visitors Office and three from the Chamber of Commerce. Some have already picked out their offices and all are excited about the move, expected next summer.

Gail Dixon, president and CEO of the Buena Park Chamber of Commerce, is already looking for furniture to match the significance of working in a historic landmark.

“I’m in the process of researching the original color scheme of the interior and looking for period decor in keeping with that era,” she said. “We want to capture the ambience of the late 1800s.”

Dixon joked, however, she will not wear period clothing.

Ana Cholo-Tipton can be reached at (714) 966-5890.