The Renovation

Abandoned on Main Street for years, one of the last standing downtown hotels is brought back to life.

Queen City Inn - 1950's

It was 1956 and families everywhere were embarking on the great American road trip for the first time. Spearfish, South Dakota was attracting families from all across the nation on their way to see landmarks like Devil’s Tower and Mt. Rushmore. Being a popular stop, local artists performed the Passion Play to attract families to stay longer in Spearfish.

So, it’s no surprise that same year, the Queen’s Motel was constructed to provide a great option for families to stay in the Downtown area. It was joined by a large number of other family establishments over the years. As the road trip was replaced by cheap airfare, visitors began to dwindle and other hotels in the area began to close.

(The building just before being purchased in 2021)

The Queen’s Motel soldiered on as a family stop until 2007 when it was sold, the property subdivided and ultimately converted into economy apartments, removing all signage from the property.

Fast forward to 2021, and—surprise, surprise—the building was up for sale again. Enter a (possibly unhinged) couple with a borderline unhealthy obsession for rescuing lost causes and turning them into hidden gems. So, naturally, they went all in, throwing everything they had (and probably their sanity) into making this place shine as one of Main Street’s finest. It was, without a doubt, their most ambitious project yet—and lucky for you, they filmed the whole chaotic journey. Feel free to binge-watch… right after you book your room!

Current_Look

(Present day!)

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