Introducing the Mizpah
The historic Mizpah is a five-story, Victorian-era hotel in Tonopah, Nevada. Once the tallest building in town, 56 rooms, two restaurants, a casino, two saloons and a couple of ghosts made it the social hub for miners during the great silver rush. Now, after more than a hundred years of ups and downs, transfers of ownership and natural calamities, Fred and Nancy Cline have stepped in with a plan to reopen the hotel for the first time in ten years.
Tonopah was founded by silver mining pioneer Jim Butler just a few years before the Mizpah opened. The hotel quickly became the heart of town providing shelter, libations and entertainment to fuel the silver frenzy. Though industry in Tonopah has waxed and waned over the years, the Mizpah’s heart-of-town status has remained constant despite multiple closures.
New owners Fred and Nancy Cline look forward to restoring the Mizpah to its former glory while helping to revitalize tourism and economic development in the town of Tonopah. Their vision is to restore all aspects of the property—hotel, restaurants, bars, casino and ballroom—in a way that preserves its Victorian style and sense of history while adding modern creature comforts. A hallmark will be the restaurant and café’s delicious, unpretentious fare made from fresh, sustainable ingredients.
Tonopah, NV
Tonopah began as a silver mining boomtown in 1900 and continued to thrive as the Nye County seat even after the silver rush abated. Its close proximity to Nellis Air Force Base also contributed to the town’s economic stability. Yet the small population and decreasing tourism weren’t enough to keep the Mizpah’s doors open—they have been closed since 2000. But ever-inventive, Tonopah now has a new industry to buoy up its economy. Green tech. Starting in July 2011 over 800+ new solar industry jobs are expected to come online, and that’s just the beginning. With new jobs, affordable land, and proximity to major cities like Reno and Las Vegas, Tonopah is in the early stages of economic revitalization.
The Cline Connection
Fred and Nancy Cline are entrepreneurs with a passion for history and family, and an unusual gift when it comes to hospitality. Best known for their wineries, Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Fred and Nancy own and manage several destination properties including Dillon Beach Resort, the Villa at Cline Cellars, and Villa Laura in Italy. Not unlike the Mizpah, Villa Laura required major renovations to restore it to its current breathtaking state. The Clines also own and operate Green String Farm in Sonoma CA that provides local, sustainably grown produce and meats.
Like most of their endeavors, the Mizpah Hotel has special meaning for the Clines. Nancy’s great uncle was pioneer and miner by trade Harry Ramsey. He came to Tonopah in 1900 to seek a future in silver and was joined in 1904 by his sister Emma, Nancy’s grandmother. Emma eventually moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where she met and married Nancy’s grandfather, George Bunting, a sea captain for Standard Oil. And so goes Nancy Cline’s ancestral path from Tonopah Nevada to the Bay Area, and now finally back again in full circle. At a time when the country is experiencing profound economic volatility, the Clines are thankful that they can give back to Nancy’s historical hometown as it re-invents anew through green industry and soon, the revitalized Mizpah Hotel.
This is so exciting to see and read about Nancy’s heritage. The Cline’s have made such a difference in all their endeavors. They are also wonderful and generous people to the community in which they live. Paula Bunting, her sister-in=law is my dear friend, that is how I heard about it. I wish I could have seen the 6:00 news.
Hurrah for Tonopah to see their Mizpah treasure come back to Life.
The Butler family(Belle & Jim’s descendants)is very excited to see the Cline Family bring the Old Hotel back to her glory. If the walls could talk the stories they would tell!
If you want to experience living history of the old west Tonopah is the place.
As our Papa P.K. used to say “See you at the Mizpah!”
Judith L. Butler
I wonder if they are considering renovating the upstairs rooms for sale or rent?
I live in Las Vegas and every year when i traveled to reno with my 2 nephews and 2 nieces, we always stopped and had breakfast and then lunch on the return trip. I am very excited for the hotel to open. I am planning a trip with my son, and both nieces and nephew -in- law and a new great -niece to see the hotel. My sister and brother -in -law are driving down from reno to see the baby and spend the night.Thanks for all your efforts to get her back to her glory of yesteryear…maureen l. sisco
Sounds like fun. We can’t wait to host you!
Here Here! We look forward to visiting.
I am very happy to see that the Mizpah is coming back to life, it’s been an icon for Tonopah for so long. My mother worked there, so did the love of my life. He and I will be coming through Tonopah in October and will surely visit the hotel, to take a trip down memory lane after 43 years away.
I wish you much success in keeping the Mizpah alive and part of Tonopah’s history.
I am so happy that the Mizpah is opening up again, it’s been an icon in Tonopah for decades. My mother worked there for quite a long time as did the love of my live; he and I are coming through Tonopah in October and will surely visit the hotel, after 43 years away. Good luck in your business venture.
I am very happy that the Mizpah is coming to life again, it’s been an icon for Tonopah for so many decades now. My mother worked there for a long time as well as the love of my life who is coming through Tonopah with me in October and we will surely visit the hotel. Good Luck with the business.