Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NAPA RIVER INN
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The Napa River Inn is rich in history and architectural integrity. The cornerstone of the Historic
Napa Mill, the Hatt Building was built in 1884 and serves as the primary structure of the Napa
River Inn. The building was named after Captain Albert Hatt, the original owner and visionary
who created a thriving business along the river. Originally from Germany, Hatt got his title as
captain from sailing since the age of 14. When he arrived in Napa, he gave up the sea to build
this historic property.
At the time, the river was the primary means of transportation and many businesses were lo-
cated along its shores. The Napa Mill was situated in the middle of all this activity and enjoyed a
booming business. Not only did the building serve as a warehouse, but it also offered recreation in
the form of a roller-skating rink upstairs with a White Rock maple floor. A silo section was added
in 1887 and later another building was constructed to house machinery for processing grains.
One of Captain Hatt's children, Albert Jr., did not enjoy the same success in business that the
captain did. In poor health and burdened with five children and business problems, Albert Jr.
hanged himself at the age of 46 from a beam in the warehouse in 1912. That area is now Sweetie
Pies Bakery, a popular hangout every morning for coffee lovers. Vestiges of the old mill days still
exist in the form of an old grain-bagging machine on display there.
Following Albert's suicide, Robert Keig purchased the mill from Captain Hatt in 1912.
The Keig family continued to operate the Napa Mill Feed Store until 1974.
In recent times, both Albert Hatt and Robert Keig have spawned numerous ghost stories. One
of these accounts involves a woman who looks to be Albert's wife walking the halls at night. An-
other is that of Robert Keig. Guests at the hotel have reported talking to a man who insisted that the
building was not a modern hotel, but rather a mill building—and then he disappeared. They later
identified the man as Robert from an old photo hanging in the hotel.
The current Napa River Inn features oversized quarters with fireplaces, canopy beds, tufted
lounge chairs, velvet ottomans, slipper tubs, and walk-in showers. In keeping with the historic res-
toration, rooms have maple hardwood floors and massive cove and baseboard moldings; they offer
a perspective of the historic Napa Valley while providing the convenience of modern amenities. Art
in the Hatt Building rooms is reflective of a burgeoning river town of the 1800s. Hatt Hall's inte-
rior appointments include the original pressed tin wall panels and deep cove moldings, originally
installed in the space when it was a music room in the late 1800s.
