Coffee Creek Ranch History

As rich in beauty as in history, this was originally three claims staked in 1877 by Old Charley Henseley who lost them in a poker game in 1900 to Ben Pinkham for $1. Ben grew vegetables for the miners, but realizing that the miners needed a winter home close to their mines, Pinkham's Boarding House was born, a seventeen-room hotel on 140 acres. Ben's wife, Elizabeth, established the Pinkaham School District in 1908. From 1903 to 1912, "Coffee", California, was the official post office.

Gradually the hotel became popular with city folk. In 1928, when Viva and Raymond Tapie bought the hotel from Viva's mother, they changed the name to Coffee Creek Chalet. After they sold in 1940, two owners later, the Neubauer's bought it in 1946 changing the name to Coffee Creek Ranch.

The San Francisco boys club came every summer 'till about 1954, then they continued to run it as a guest ranch resort 'till they sold to relatives in 1965. Easter Sunday, 1966, the original ranch house burned to the ground in 15 minutes. A 30-day wonder, it was rebuilt and ready for the first guests June 15th. The oldest building, "Oak Grove Cottage", 1889 still stands across the creek in the pasture and presently being resorted, by owners Mark & Ruth Hartman, who purchased it in 1976. The ranch is has been handed down to the next generation and is currently run by Alicia & Shane Ryan.

For more information or reservations:
Coffee Creek Ranch
HC2 Box 4940 Trinity Center, CA 96091
Phone: 530-266-3343 - Fax: 530-266-3597
TOLL FREE: 1-800-624-4480
EMAIL: Coffee Creek Ranch

Owners / Managers: Alicia & Shane Ryan
Owners: Ruth & Mark Hartman - Bill & Rachael Hartman