In August of 1887, Dr. Elbert Pinney, a retired civil war surgeon, rancher, merchant and developer arrived in the new town of Sierra Madre. He bought 35 acres of land at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. His tract sloped gently from the base of Mt. Wilson with views towards Los Angeles fifteen miles away.

Pinney Hired renowned architects Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom to design his new hotel. The Newsom brothers created this dramatic Queen Anne style hotel with its signature oriel tower and sweeping front veranda. The Sierra Vista Hotel opened with its 20 comfortable rooms.

The Hotel was "A quiet and comfortable home for sojourners and tourists. The Building and Furnishing Entirely New. Reached by carriages from station on the Santa Fe railroad one mile distant. There is from this House a fine view of the beautiful San Gabriel Valley, extending from on end of the valley to the other and from the mountains to the sea, presenting a picture grand, inspiring and never tiring, revealing to the observer new beauties each day."

"The comfort of their Guests is the First Care of the Managers of this House. Fare and Accommodations as Good as can be had anywhere. Board with Room $8 to $12 per week." *

Throughout its 115 year life the Hotel that Pinney built has been one of the treasures of Sierra Madre.

*The Valley Vista newspaper July 31, 1889