WHITE HORSE INN - McDERMITT, NEVADA-OREGON Photo Gallery by Paula Krugerud at pbase.com

WHITE HORSE INN - McDERMITT, NEVADA-OREGON

UPDATED INFO - OCT. 26, 2009: JOE VAN EETEN'S EMAIL ADDRESS IS: joesgems@yahoo.com

The White Horse Inn is located in McDermitt, Nevada; straddling the Nevada-Oregon border.

The state line goes right through the inn and back when it was operating you could order your food in Oregon, thus avoiding Nevada sales tax. At one time back in the early 1900's it was owned and operated by Clara Lovejoy Baber. Word on the street was that the W.H.I. not only operated as a hotel and saloon but a brothel also.

White Buffalo...a.k.a. Joe Van Eeten, the new owner of the White Horse Inn, contacted me a few months ago hoping I would come back and take more pictures of the renovation process. I did get back there a few weeks ago and met up with Joe. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with him, learning that his plans for restoration include a museum, bed & breakfast, the "White Horse School of Hard Rocks" (learning about tumbling and polishing rocks, etc.), teaching the ancient arts of creation along with hopefully housing or leasing rooms to artists. It was quite interesting not to mention White Buffalo was very entertaining!

If you plan on traveling through the north west part of Nevada, stop by and say a big howdy to Joe...he'd love to chat. You might even get to hear stories about the ghosts that roam the halls of the old White Horse Inn.

THANK YOU JOE...WE HAD A GREAT TIME!! AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE COMMENTS ON THE PICTURES EXPLAINING WHAT AND WHERE THEY ARE & CORRECT ANY MISTAKES I MIGHT HAVE MADE ON THESE!

Paula

Original Matchbook	Original Matchbook	Joe	Two Happy Joes	Lookin' Up ...
107-bet.jpg	101-bet.jpg	Sink bottom	096-bet.jpg	086-bet.jpg
081-bet.jpg	079-bet.jpg	076-bet.jpg	072-bet.jpg	068-bet.jpg
062-bet.jpg	053-bet.jpg	044-bet.jpg	038-bet.jpg	037-bet.jpg
116-bet.jpg	135-bw.jpg	White Horse Inn, McDermitt, Nevada	Room + Bar	140
134	134-C	131	143-C	144-C
146-C	148-C-1	151	153	154
155	156	160	167	169
174	181	183-C-2	187-2	188
190	191	193-chrome2.jpg	198	200
203	211	232	234	235
237-b&w	238	241	My Boondocking Buddies!	06-bet.jpg
Digging In	Disaster Peak Road	Buckwheat	019-bet.jpg	028-bet.jpg
032-bet.jpg	037-bet.jpg	038-bet-sepiatone.jpg	042-bet-sepiatone.jpg	065-bet.jpg
050-bet.jpg	057-bet.jpg	076-bet.jpg	078-bet.jpg	086-bet.jpg
Desert critter	105-bet.jpg	Lunch time	116-bet.jpg	Beautiful saltbrush
Another desert critter

comment

Guest		30-Jul-2021 21:39
Where is this at today I have the sign that once hung on the front of the building

Vicky Lisowski		12-Jun-2019 20:31
Sorry for the repeated post I see no option to fix

Vicky Lisowski		12-Jun-2019 20:21
Paula, what a great post so glad I discovered it. As we traveled through Nevada June 2019 we stopped to get something to eat and saw across the road a yard full of interesting objects and a sign saying OPEN. And I also noticed a abandoned White Horse Inn next door. Joe at this point says he and his family have been there 13 years and from 1 veteran to another he shared his hopes and dreams along with his love of the desert. As my husband and he shared thoughts I floated around taking pics. We wish Joe (White Buffalo) and his family the very best.

Vicky Lisowski		12-Jun-2019 20:20
Paula, what a great post so glad I discovered it. As we traveled through Nevada June 2019 we stopped to get something to eat and saw across the road a yard full of interesting objects and a sign saying OPEN. And I also noticed a abandoned hotel next door. Joe at this point says he and his family have been there 13 years and from 1 veteran to another he shared his hopes and dreams along with his love of the desert. As my husband and he shared thoughts I floated around taking pics. We wish Joe (White Buffalo) and his family the very best.

Vicky Lisowski		12-Jun-2019 20:20
Paula, what a great post so glad I discovered it. As we traveled through Nevada June 2019 we stopped to get something to eat and saw across the road a yard full of interesting objects and a sign saying OPEN. And I also noticed a abandoned White Horse Inn next door. Joe at this point says he and his family have been there 13 years and from 1 veteran to another he shared his hopes and dreams along with his love of the desert. As my husband and he shared thoughts I floated around taking pics. We wish Joe (White Buffalo) and his family the very best.

Guest		13-Jun-2017 22:05
I loved seeing this place. Many years ago, it belonged to my Aunt Clarissa who married William Baber. It must have been around 1879. Her father, James Jermain Lovejoy, bought it for her. The family story is that there was a portrait of Clarissa that hung over the bar. I wish I knew what happened to it and how I could find it. She and William got a divorce and he ended up dying in Winnemucca. We have been in Winnemucca many times on our trips to see family in California. I don't know how far it is to McDermitt but I would to take the trip. Betsy Neil

Guest		09-May-2017 18:56
Totally awesome.post. Nice pics. I would love to play my guitar there.

Judy Murphy		07-Mar-2016 23:26
This is for Dan Michna. I worked for Tim when he owned the White Horse. In fact, my two boys and I lived there in the back Oregon apartment. Haven't seen you in years and years, Tim. Would love to reconnect and catch up. Judy

dan michna		03-May-2013 05:57
hey paula this city sliker my name is dan i hope you get my email address this time i will also send a message to joe also if you have any questions about about my time at the white horse feel to contact me always dan

dan michna		29-Apr-2013 02:19
from 1976 through 1979 my brother and i ran the white horse when it was a bar tim was my brothers name as you see on the matchbook you have displayed . i moved from the chicago area to help my brother at the white horse it sure was an expience the bar had a wild reputation and i can tell a few stories ! my brother tim passed away almost 30 years ago and i may be the only one left to tell the story of running the white horse when it was a bar , the place was wild and interesting

Olyspud		16-Apr-2013 03:39
Spent one night there in the summer of 1958. It was a hot and still night. Not a breath of air anywhere. We tried to keep cool by wetting ourselves down with towels and fanning ourselves. Some great pictures of this old Hotel.

Glenn		30-Mar-2013 21:44
hello..My name is Glenn. I've been a fan of The White Horse for years......Now I may want to but it.......call me day or night Joe....650-868-8098.......

Michael Lovejoy		10-Mar-2013 21:07
Any idea what happened to the large portrait of Clara Lovejoy that hung over the bar?

Michael Lovejoy		10-Mar-2013 03:12
Some amazing pictures for sure. Clara Lovejoy is my great aunt, four times removed(give or take one). I'd love portrait of 134-C of the White Horse to hang on my wall.

Guest		19-Nov-2012 17:35
Awesome pics, It brings my nightmares alive. I used to live there in the late 70s. My mother ran the place under Tim. We heard a lot of weird Sh.. going on upstairs when it was closed. We used to keep a large piece of wood barring the front door shut and guarded the rear with a revolver. One night we thought we had someone up-stairs in one of the rooms beating the hell out of someone and tossing the room, when we went up there, there was nothing, but one of the rooms was a mess. The only way out was through us. Many other times we just heard someone with boots on walking the halls or a banging on the pipes. I want to stop in next visit if possible. Good luck and hold your ground, it’s a historical landmark! P Murphy USAF retired, bannokwar@hotmail.com

angie		13-Nov-2012 04:50
Actually, My dad and his brother used to run this crazy place. He has plenty of stories to tell you if you are up for them.

stacy your grandaughter		26-Apr-2012 21:24
hii grandpa!!!! :) its stacy!! im sittinq in class with rachelle and katelyn :) my friendss :p love andd miss yuh!!!!:) XOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOOX

Cheryl		10-Jul-2011 03:00
I am interested in purchasing the phot of the pink sagebrush flower in the foreground. We need 11by 14 inches. Hope you are selling . Waiting for your reply. Cheryl

Joe/White Buffalo		05-Jun-2011 00:51
Wow, I forgot how nice the inn was before I strated remoddeling...I miss the old ways. Never did get the $$$ to finish it...It is going to be replaced with a brand new building,because of harrassment from county building inspector...It is my building but he wants to tell me what I can do with it...UP YOURS bobby!!!

Amber		16-Sep-2010 05:36
yo joe its me amber ....love the pics lol .....

Emerald		16-Jul-2010 19:14
When did the place close down the last time? Good luck on the restoration. Thanks, Joe.

stacy		23-Jun-2010 06:02
hey grandpa this is stacy and kylee your grand daughters hope to come see you and help with the white horse

Paula Krugerud		26-Oct-2009 15:45
updated message to eastern city slicker....I typed in Joe's email address wrong. The correction is .... joesgems@yahoo.com. sorry 'bout that! paula

Paula Krugerud		26-Oct-2009 14:06
This message is for Eastern City Slicker or anyone else wanting to get in touch with Joe Van Eeten (owner of the White Horse Inn). E. City Slicker....you did not leave an email address to write you back-hoping you'll check back on my gallery. You can reach Joe via his new email at joegems@yahoo.com. Thanks for writing! Paula

eastern city slicker		24-Oct-2009 00:37
Love the pictures. Brings back such good memories of an unexpected stopover on the way to Reno. Does anyone know how to contact Joe? We were there 2 summers ago and the e-mail& phone number he gave don't seem to be doing the job. Thanks!

Aimee Dines		27-May-2009 19:54
Great Job With these photos, I have always loved the old WH, always wondering about all the stories those dance hall walls could tell! The structure it self has always struck me as lonsome, almost romantic in a way. A lot like a person, the building is rough on the outside but could be welcoming on the inside, with the right labor of love. Broken but still sturdy. Thats the funny thing about loving something or someone, that it never really seems like labor..just love. I ran across your photos as I was looking for a good architecture photo of the WH so I can paint it for a friend, for a Birthday gift. He is from McDerrmitt and though he no longer lives there, I would always think of him as each time I would stop to photograph the WH. Now that our paths have crossed again, I thought it would be the perfect painting to give him as a gift. Thanks for the inspiration as you have captured its essence very well. If the painting turns out any good I will send a photo.

blizzard		16-Jul-2008 19:01
very impressive composition is most excellent on all you captured a real feeling the spirit of the this ghost town brilliat vote

Susanne v. Schroeder		08-Jul-2008 16:39
You did a fantastic job with the treatment of these photos, and yes, it looks like a lot of work but what a great idea to bring back to life a place with that history.

Guest		08-Jul-2008 14:41
What a very interesting gallery Paula with a very creative and magical treatment of the images. A wonderful old place complimented by a creative photographer's touch as usual.....v

Dick Lowthian		08-Jul-2008 11:58
A very interesting gallery of images, Paula. I'd say you're right, Joe has a whole lot of work to do to get the place operational once again. I like your treatment on the exterior images.

click on thumbnails for full image

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