The old Sauk Centre House, the town’s first hotel, burned to the ground on June 26, 1900. Then, in 1901, Ralph L. Palmer and Christena J. Palmer built The Palmer House Hotel. The delighted citizenry spoke among themselves, “Now at last, perhaps the town can have a first class hotel!”. The Palmers lived there with their children Hazel Palmer and Carlisle R. Palmer. Christena’s mother and brother, George Brandner, also worked at the hotel.
Modern for its day, The Palmer House was the first building in Sauk Centre with electricity. Salesmen traveling by rail regularly used the hotel for business meetings and relaxation. The hotel soon became the cornerstone of Sauk Centre’s downtown area and served as a gathering place for the now-content locals. Nobel Prize winner Sinclair Lewis referred to the hotel as the Minniemashie House in his 1920 novel, Main Street.
The hotel endured an ambitious makeover in 1993, exposing its natural beauty from top to bottom with respect to Richard Palmer’s idea. However, some of the comforts to which society has become accustomed have been added. The hotel originally housed 38 small rooms with guests sharing a common “necessary room” down the hall. There are now 19 rooms (each with its own bathroom facility), some complete with Jacuzzis to pamper you a bit.
When you stay at The Palmer House, choose a room tucked away in the recesses of the hotel or a room directly above the Original Main Street where you can look down from your vantage point and observe the hustle and bustle of small town life. Resist the urge to keep to your room and go explore! We have many delightful shops downtown to peruse. The Palmer House’s spacious lobby is perfect for whiling away the hours reading and visiting. You’ll find The Pub, just off the lobby, to be well-stocked with your favorite cocktails and a cozy sometimes spirited place to spend an evening. Trying to resist the inviting aromas coming from the kitchen will be a challenge. Our kitchen is open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM weekdays; 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturdays and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sundays. We have some of the friendliest servers around, an awesome kitchen staff who excel at serving up a savory dining experience, and a baker who will tempt you back for dessert with some of her homemade goodies.
Come to The Palmer House for business or pleasure. The friendly staff will be waiting to extend a warm greeting upon your arrival and cater to your every need throughout your stay. Whether it be a special event or an intimate evening for two, call us to discuss the many options we can put together for you. We do free consultations for planning your groom’s dinner, wedding reception, showers, birthday parties…. whatever it is you may want to celebrate.
Call us for details. We look forward to meeting you!