Ruin to Restoration

story of a downtown visalia hotel

The Courthouse Annex was the center of a vibrant Downtown Visalia scene in the early 20th century. Despite an earthquake leveling the County Courthouse in 1952, the Annex still remained. Later it served as the Tulare County Social Service building, but years of disrepair and inability to conform to changing regulations led to it being abandoned.

What was once dilapidated has returned to become a centerpiece Downtown Visalia hotel. Inspired by the opportunity to restore a building with such prominence in the community, a group of local families joined to purchase the property in 2018. With the help of local engineers, construction workers, painters, craftsmen, hospitality specialists, and media artists—as well as a few friends and family—the worn facade and degraded interior slowly morphed into its current form: The Darling Hotel.

Named after family, constructed by friends, supported by the community, The Darling Hotel is here to be your home at the Gateway to the Sequoias. We’re glad you came, and you may be “just passing through”, but while you’re here: stay awhile.

Former Tulare County Courthouse Annex in Visalia
Art Deco Light Fixture at The Darling Hotel in downtown Visalia.
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