Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Ghost Light Inn coming to Gurdon soon

A few year's ago this newspaper reported on one of Gurdon's citizens who was trying to restore history and bring new business into Gurdon.

Since the article was written, Tommy and Stephanie Potter have made progress on achieving their dream.

Tommy and Stephanie were married seven years ago and shortly afterwards they bought a two-story home together located on Front Street in Gurdon.

Potter was aware of the history involved in the structure and had a dream to restore it and make it the Ghost Light Inn.

In the early days of Gurdon's existence the main part of town was located on either side of the railroad tracks, therefore it was called the Railroad Edition.

In 1883, through an act of Congress, the land was bought and a three-story structure that is today the Potter's two story home, was built. The third story unfortunately caught fire and burned off several years ago.

Throughout the years the structure has been used in many different ways. It was originally used as a boarding house for railroad workers. It has also been used as a morgue.

The Gurdon Sheriff once lived in the house and did not own a horse or automobile, so he would walk around town and arrest any unruly citizens, walk them across town and throw them in the jail located just a few yards away from the home.

It is also said the house was used as a saloon and was a residence for several women of night.

Potter has always had an interest for history and antiques. He moved to Gurdon in 1963, with his parents, so his father could work in the barbershop that used to be located next to Thomerson's where the covered alley is now.

Potter said he started working for his dad in 1968 when he was just eight-years-old. "I would shine shoes in my dad's shop. I also collected antiques and sold them there."

By 1968 Potter's dad, Paul Potter, had moved his shop to the other side of Thomerson's next to the Hoo-Hoo Theater.

Potter said he had a hole in the wall of his dad's shop he would watch the movie's through. "The hole wasn't quit big enough to see the whole screen though."

He also said he made his first antique sale out of his dad's shop to someone traveling by train. "People used to walk across the street from the depot and get haircuts or shaves. One day I sold an old snuff bottle for a dollar and I thought I was rich."

Since that day, Potter has spent hours collecting antiques he uses to decorate his house and his own barbershop located in the bottom story of what is soon to be the Ghost Light Inn. Many of Potter's antiques are from the Gurdon area and have lots of interesting history behind them.

Although one of Potter's favorite antiques is a railroad lamp he found at Sandy Crossing were the famous Gurdon Light is located. He said his mother keeps the light and will not let him have it.

Recently Tommy and Stephanie purchased the two-story home located on the left side of what is to be the Ghost Light Inn.

This structure was also built in 1883 by the same people. When the old three-story structure was used to house railroad workers, the people running it lived in the house next door.

Throughout the years many families in Gurdon have lived in the home. The house is in great structural condition. However, Tommy and Stephanie are adding their own personal touches to the house to make it their own and restore it to it's original beauty.

While restoring the home Potter found a sign in the attic that read, Milburn Wagon and Buggy. There was also a name on the front of the sign. The name is E.A. Whitmore. Potter said, " I would like to know if anyone in Gurdon recognizes either of these names and if they could give me information on them."

Potter also has the abstract to the property that shows the property being deeded to John S. Skinner of Maryland, Henry Ogden and William C. Emmet both of New York, by the United States of America through an act of Congress and dated August 1, 1837.

The property was then sold to W.J. Seahorn in 1884. There may be a connection to this name and the naming of Seahorn Street in Gurdon.

Later the property was sold to R.M. Trice and his wife, Sophia. The Trice's lived in the home for many years and had three daughters, Louise Trice Davidson, Lewelyn Trice Edwards and Lorena Trice Lane.

According to Austin Capps, Trice ran the Gazette in Gurdon and would sell it on the streets for a nickel.

Also, while the home and property was owned by the Trice family, it is believed that in 1929 the adjacent lot was bought. On this lot was the Imperial Theatre of Gurdon.

The Imperial Theatre contained 250 Opera chairs, two motion graph machines and one piano that also went with the property.

After R.M. Trice's death in 1933 his wife and three daughters took claim to the house. They later sold it to Zelma Nash who then sold it back to Henry C. Edwards and Lewelyn Trice Edwards.

H.C. Edwards died in 1961 at the age of 71 and left the house to his wife in his will.

Lewelyn lived there until her death 10 years later. The estate was then taken over by Richard E. Davidson who sold it to the Partridge family and was then sold to the Newberry's.

Both houses are full of history. Potter would like to hear from anyone who may have photos, stories or anything to do with either of the establishments.

Many of the names mentioned in the deed are names most Gurdon residents recognize. Please contact Tommy Potter at (870) 353-2505 or the Gurdon Times at (870) 353-4482 if you have any further information.