War Eagle Hotel

Across the street from the Mortuary is the site of the War Eagle Hotel. James Carroll, one of the “Original 29” prospectors of Silver, claimed the War Eagle lot in 1863. He built a small log cabin, which is thought to be the first house in Silver. He was killed by Indians in July 1864, just a little over a year after coming to the Owyhees. His estate sold at auction, and the new owners opened the Silver City Restaurant at the site. The owners added to the building to create a roomy comfortable hotel that opened in 1865. Valentine Blackinger purchased the hotel and made many improvements, including the addition of a boarding house that could hold 80-90 boarders. He added a parlor and nine elegant bedrooms in 1871. In 1878 John Grete Sr. bought the hotel with 35 rooms, a private residence, five houses, and a stable for $1,000. John owned a saloon across the street that he continued to run along with the hotel. In 1879, John brought water to the hotel from a spring a quarter mile away through underground boxes.   

In 1900, David Brumbaugh, husband of Emma Grete and John's son-in-law took over management of the hotel. John passed away October 24, 1902. In 1905, Mary Grete sold the hotel to Emma and David for $1. Emma and David bought into the Idaho Hotel and abandoned the old War Eagle Hotel around 1917. Only a single poplar tree, planted by John Grete Sr. and his son Fred Jr. in 1882 remains at the site.

Alta Chadwick (John and Mary Grete’s granddaughter) remembered the happy times of childhood in the hotel. “When I was a child, I loved the Christmas parties in the big hotel parlor; I can still see the lovely light blue wallpaper, the ceiling a lighter blue studded with silver stars and a few fleecy clouds. The walls had many family portraits and ornaments. A big ore cabinet displayed big rich silver and gold specimens. Near the round heating stove was a large turtle ash receptacle. When you stepped on its head its back flew up. With the number of grandchildren present at these gatherings, the back flew up often. What I liked best of all was a beautiful big Steinway grand piano with carved legs. We would all gather around and sing as my mother played the old songs. We always had lovely gifts under the tree which was heavily decorated and reached its tinseled top up to the stars on the high ceiling."