Ventura County Landmark No. 124: Piru Hotel (Mountain View Hotel/Round Rock Hotel)
Historical Background
The town of Piru was founded by David C. Cook in 1887, who purchased a whopping 14,000 acres of the canyon. Originally from Illinois, Cook settled in Ventura County in search of a better climate suitable for his health issues. As he settled into Piru, Cook planted around 1,000 acres of walnuts, apricots, and oranges, in addition to other crops such as olive trees and grapes. He changed the region by transforming it into an efficient farm with miles of irrigation and roads that allowed Piru agriculture to boom. Within a year of settling on the land, Cook began to build a railroad station and a personal residence. For about two decades, Cook lived in the large house until selling it in 1911 to William W. Lechler, a Piru Canyon rancher.
The Piru Hotel
In its early years, the hotel mainly received visits from oilmen, cattle buyers, and at one time, Old Hollywood stars like Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith. During this early period, the Piru Hotel was the only accommodation that was open between Castaic and Santa Paula. Lechler and his family ran the hotel and eventually changed the name to Mountain View Hotel and Round Rock Hotel. Harry Lechler, son of William W. Lechler, recalls his childhood in the hotel: “at the time, the building had only one bathroom” (Williams, 1991). The hotel was run quite casually according to Lechler, with his father calling out to late-night guests from his bed during check-in.
Eventually, business at the hotel slowed and the Lechler family sold the property to People’s Lumber Company in 1940. About three decades later in 1974, the redwood building was bought by Olivia and Steward Hartman, who then converted it into a senior living home. The elderly care center included a private cook and 14 senior citizens housed in private rooms. Ultimately, the senior care home shut its doors in 1989 and the building remained vacant for years.
The Property Now
The Piru Hotel has since been renamed the Mountain View Inn & Restaurant, and now boasts a high-end restaurant, nine guest rooms, and a café. The entire property has been restored and modernized, while still retaining its historic character. Ken Wiseman, the new owner of the property, spent a year renovating the hotel, reopening the hotel in September 2025. In addition to the amenities stated, the hotel offers catering and is available for events.
Additional Reading and Viewing
References
Williams, K. (1991). Hotel’s Past Is Worth Checking In To. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-13-me-1779-story.html.
Date Designated: April 1989
Location: 691 North Main Street, Piru
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