The Hoover House

Built in 1870, this structure originally housed the community’s first newspaper and meat market. In 1871, local entrepreneur Nate Crook transformed the space into a barbershop and restaurant, and by 1877, he expanded his enterprise to include Crook’s Hotel, complete with a livery and stable to serve travelers passing through town.

Throughout the early and mid-1900s, the building continued to evolve, hosting several hotels—including the Julien Hotel and the Hoover Hotel—as well as the popular L.B. Steakhouse, where guests famously cooked their own steaks.

In 1995, the basement was converted into The Downunder Bar, a lively local favorite. After a brief closure, it was renovated and reopened in 2015 by Mike Jones. Today, the main level houses a collaborative art gallery, while the Down Under Brewpub continues the building’s long-standing tradition of hospitality in the lower level.