California / BACKROADS CULTURE

Dutch Flat

A hotel owner gives the detour a purpose.

HistoryHospitality

Dedicated town story

Leif Lowery describes the Dutch Flat Hotel as a place where a guest becomes part of the family. The exit from I-80 leads into a historic town, then into an encounter with the person caring for a place to stay. His account makes the welcome the reason to take the turn.

The Dutch Flat post office.
Frame from Backroads Culture’s Dutch Flat edited film.Backroads Culture · Film frame 00:08
White clapboard building and green staircase in Dutch Flat.
Frame from Backroads Culture’s Dutch Flat edited film.Backroads Culture · Film frame 00:32

Take the exit

The film moves from the highway sign into the hotel and surrounding town.

Meet the person opening the door

Lowery’s description of the guest experience gives the building a particular host and purpose.

FROM THE INTERVIEWS

The people behind the place

Editorial summaries of interviews in our original films.

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About this story

An editorial account drawn from Backroads Culture’s original reporting and project material. The coverage label describes what is available here. Original media and collaboration credits accompany the work. Dates and offers in archive reels belong to their original publication.

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