[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23314]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING LYNNE AND BERNIE BUTCHER OF LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and applaud the special efforts of Lynne and Bernie Butcher to restore 
and revitalize the Tallman Hotel, one of the most historically 
significant--but long neglected--structures in Lake County, California.
  The original Tallman Hotel was built in the 1870s as a stage stop in 
the town of Upper Lake by Lake County pioneers Rufus and Mary Tallman. 
The hotel was part of a fullservice facility consisting of hotel, 
livery stable and saloon designed to serve passengers traveling to 
Clear Lake and the nearby hot springs resorts. In 1895, the Hotel 
burned to the ground but was re-built by Tallman the next year. The 
Blue Wing Saloon next door was closed and torn down during Prohibition 
in the early 1920s. The economic fortunes of the Hotel declined and the 
building was essentially abandoned in 1962.
  The Butchers bought the derelict hotel in 2003 and were determined to 
authentically restore the building to its former glory. Using period 
photographs as a guide, they also rebuilt the Blue Wing Saloon and Cafe 
next door. Great care was taken to retain, recondition and reuse 
original materials and to maintain the essential soul of the old hotel 
building. In recognition of their success, the Butchers recently 
received an annual preservation award from the California Heritage 
Council.
  The hotel is now drawing tourists into the county and the cafe is a 
very popular spot for locals and visitors alike. The Butchers have not 
only beautifully restored a historically significant building, but the 
project has also acted as a catalyst in the economic revitalization of 
the Town of Upper Lake and the entire north shore region of Lake 
County.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, at this time it is appropriate that we 
recognize and acknowledge the dynamic work of my friends Lynne and 
Bernie Butcher in restoring the historic Tallman Hotel. Their efforts 
have brought a wonderful building back into use, and in doing so they 
have provided new energy and excitement in northern Lake County.

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