Palomar Inn Hotel

The first 'modern' hotel built in Temecula. The hotel had electricity (electricity came to Temecula in 1922)
and indoor restrooms. Travelers using the Old Highway 395 (today's Front Street) stayed at the hotel on their
way from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. Today a stay at the Palomar Inn Hotel is a memorable step back
in time. Great care has been taken to maintain the authentic look and feel of the hotel. Reservations can be
made by clicking on the link above.

The Palomar Inn Hotel and the Swing Inn Cafe are the only two historic buildings in Temecula that still
contain the same type of business that existed when they were built in 1927.

The hotel was originally built and owned by Lena McCulloch, known as "Hotel McCulloch". It was purchased
in 1937 by Irene Gooch and renamed the Palomar Hotel. During the 1940's many of the hotel's guests were
military pensioners.

Purchased in 1954 by the late Robert 'Bob" Majeski. Bob was the first President of the Temecula Town
Association and organized the original Temecula Frontier Days. Bob spent many nights at the hotel when in
the military and eventually became a full time boarder and handyman prior to his purchase of it.

World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Gene Tunney
(1926-28) and Jack Sharkey (1932-33) spent many nights at
the Palomar Inn. They were often in town working out in a
gymnasium built by Joe Winkel's on the second floor of his
Ramona Inn that is down the street.

Rumor has it that Clint Eastwood may have stayed at the
hotel while shooting an episode of an early T.V. Western in
the area.

In 1966 a sci-fi television show, THE INVADERS, was filmed in
Temecula. Episode 1 "The Beachhead" contained many of the buildings
in Old Town with the Palomar Inn playing a prominent role. The first
episode aired on television, January 10, 1967. The episode starred Roy
Thinnes as David Vincent and Diane Baker as "a mutant alien". The
series aired for 2 years at the same time as the original Star Trek series
was aired.

In 1993 a devastating flood occurred in Old Town Temecula. The
Murrieta Creek overflowed its banks sending several feet of water and
mud into the old hotel and other businesses. The high water mark is
still visible today on a cabinet in the hotel's lobby. The resulting
damage in Old Town eventually exceeded $21,000,000.

During its 82 year history the Palomar Inn has contained several businesses including a saloon, small
drugstore and soda fountain, Greyhound Bus Stop, U.S. Post Office, and a boarding house. Today the building
is not only an active hotel but it is also home to the Temecula House of Wine, a unique wine and gift shop
containing the wines of 40 local wineries located in the Temecula Wine Country.

Of course, one of the most interesting aspects of the Palomar Inn - Historical Landmark Hotel are the claims
of guests hearing 'mysterious' footsteps outside their room or on the stairs when no other guests were
staying at the hotel. There is even a recent personal experience where a housekeeper was 'interrupted' when
she saw an apparition cross the hall from one room to another right in front of her. Astonishingly there are
pictures of orbs and EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings to add credibility to these experiences.
For an example of recent possible paranormal activity at the hotel click here.

SOURCES:

Temecula at the Crossroads of History. Phil Brigandi. Heritage Media Corp.: 1999.

The High County (Historical Biannual). Pam Grender. Temecula, CA: Temecula Valley Museum: No. 70 - Fall 2006.