Arrowhead Hotel
(Courtesy of the Harney County Library Claire McGill Luce Western History Room)
History
Buildings do not always retain their original names. Located on the northeast corner of East A Street and North Broadway, the Arrowhead Hotel, originally known as the Levens Hotel, was built by Henry (Hank) Levens in 1914. Three stories high and built entirely from native cut stone, the Levens Hotel housed a variety of shops such as, the Welcome Drug Store, a tailor shop, a Chinese restaurant, and a theatre.[1] In 1934, Grover Jameson and Daniel C. Jordan bought out Levens and renamed the hotel the Arrowhead Hotel. This name honors a large collection of arrowheads Jameson had acquired through the years.[2]
While Jameson and Jordon owned the building, they would periodically add additions and remodel various parts of the hotel. In 1938, a 100-foot x 50-foot addition was constructed at the rear of the building. This annex provided for additional space for the second-floor guest rooms.[3] Shortly after purchasing the building, both co-owners decided to sell the property to Don Casey in 1945. Many of Burns citizens and visitors consider the Arrowhead to be a beautiful example of early twentieth-century stone architecture. Unfortunately, as is the case with all buildings, as the years progressed and the needs and wants of Burns citizens changed, the hotel’s usefulness as a hostelry slowly decreased until eventually the hotel portion closed completely.
1973 represents an eventful year for the Arrowhead. Although the hotel portion of the building closed that year, neither the restaurant nor the lounge suffered the same fate. According to the manager of the Arrowhead at the time, Van Wilson, “…with the restaurant and lounge increasing in gross revenue each year, only the hostelry proved decidedly unprofitable.”[4] Shortly afterwards, a devastating fire struck much of the building. Fifty-nine years after its construction, the Arrowhead’s iconic stone structure disappeared and the citizens of Burns lost a historic site.[5] The massive amount of damage done to the building led to its demolition and all that exists now is an empty lot, an emptiness that has continued to haunt a small town for over four decades.
Current Plans
A plaza in downtown Burns, in the Arrowhead vacant lot, is the newest project of the Harney County Opportunity Team (HCOT).[6] The Arrowhead Plaza plan, named after the former Arrowhead Hotel, is currently being explored by HCOT and several suggestions have been named as to what could be included in the plaza. Possible scenarios for the plaza include, but are not limited to: a permanent community Christmas tree and a small amphitheater at the east end for lectures and musical events. HCOT has stated that they wish to see “the Arrowhead Plaza depict the country’s western culture and heritage.”<font size="2">[7]</font> However, they have yet to complete the first step which is obtaining either a conceptual design or architectural drawing. Their website can be found at: http://www.harneycounty.com/hcot.html. They are currently taking all suggestions and designs from the public.
Notes
[1] “History Project,” last modified November 23, 2013, http://burnstimesherald.info/category/feature-story/page/2/.
[2] Harney Count Library, “Arrowhead Hotel,” last modified 2014, http://www.harneycountylibrary.org/western-history-room/exhibits/historic-burns-oregon/Arrowhead%20Hotel%20copy.jpg/view.
[3] “History Project.”
[4] Harney County Library, “Arrowhead Hotel.”
[5] “History Project.”
[6] “History Project.”
[7] Harney County Chamber of Commerce, “Harney County Opportunity Team,” last modified 2014, http://www.harneycounty.com/hcot.html.
