Perched on the corner of Railroad Street in the heart of Colfax, California, the Old Colfax Hotel—originally known as the Gillen Hotel—stands as a silent sentinel to the town’s rich and storied past. Constructed in 1903 by Daniel Gillen, a former Southern Pacific Railroad conductor, the hotel was strategically built to serve the influx of rail travelers and other visitors during the height of Colfax’s prominence as a key stop along the Central Pacific Railroad. With 56 rooms and an on-site restaurant, the Gillen Hotel quickly became a bustling hub of activity, catering to weary travelers seeking comfort and respite, many at what would become known as the Colfax historic hotel.