The Hideaway Along the Russian River
The Hideaway along the Russian River is located on the site of the 1870 Montesano Station, which was built for the Guerneville and Russian River R.R. line. The structure burned down in 1920 but not before being a part of the lumber industry’s heydays. The present building was built on the original foundation and might explain why the roofline and windows were cockeyed for so many decades. Until recently, there was not a square or plumb part to be found. If you ask me, it added a touch of character (not unlike many of our river residents) and should have been left alone. Since then, it has served as an inn and saloon with the upstairs, according to legend, housing a six-room brothel at one time. Ghost busters have discovered that the building is perhaps haunted. Several former employees testified having run-ins with a specter named Evelyn Ripkin, a previous owner who remained on the premises long after her demise.
A fixture at The Hideaway was Angie Stanford who stood an imposing five-feet tall. (more…)