A Brief History
&
Introduction to the Innkeepers
Piety Hill Cottages was built in 1933 as a motor court motel. This was during the height of the depression. It is one of the oldest, continuously operating hostelries in Nevada County. It was purchased on March 1, 2006, by the current owner, with a severe case of “deferred maintenance” sitting on its shoulders. Most of the cottages have been partially or completely redecorated or remodeled. Trees and bushes that once held the driveway and grounds hostage have been manicured so that one can actually see from one end of the campus to the other.
Nevada City, once a bustling “gold fever” town was originally called “Nevada” meaning snow-covered. When the State of Nevada was incorporated to Statehood, Nevada, California changed its name to Nevada City (1856).
The city of Nevada City is comprised of the Seven Hills Business District, one of which is called Piety Hill. Rumor has it that it got its name because the downtown area, made almost entirely of wood, burned down twice, once in 1856 and again in 1863 taking one of the community churches out both times. The Pastor of the church decided to build his new church in an area that had not burned and soon after, the church’s parishioners began to move up onto the hill so as not to have to cross the, then wooden, Pine St. Bridge in the snow with their families piled into a horse drawn carriage. Before long, the area became known to the residents that were still in downtown Nevada City, as Piety Hill (this is where all the church goers “the pious ones” had moved to). Many of the streets here still bear their earlier biblical names.
Piety Hill Cottages, when first built in 1933, was called “Feil’s Motel” and was built to fill the need for a “one stop motor court”. Sacramento St. was once a main thoroughfare called Nevada City Hwy (Hwy 20) and was one of the only roads that one could take clear from the west coast to the Truckee/Tahoe area and the Donner Pass (yes, the one famous for the Donner Party Cannibalism) and on into the state of Nevada via, what is now known as, Interstate Hwy 80.
The property had a café/soda fountain and a small country store (where the office is now) as well as a filling station with see through pumps so the attendant could see that the gasoline was clean when the pumps were running. It also had a large tenement building on the rear of the property to house migrant farm workers and holdover gold miners. (There’s still lotsa gold in them thar hills). The tenement building was torn down many years ago and the White Birch and Apple Blossom Cottages were added to the remaining seven motel rooms. The current laundry room and storage facility was once a laundry room and outhouse complete with 2 shower stalls. Some of the cottages had private bathrooms and rented for a premium, where now, all the cottages have them.
The Cottages have had at least 6 owners since inception. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that it became Piety Hill Inn and later changed to Piety Hill Cottages Bed and Breakfast.
Each cottage is named for the type of tree that it is nearest to (for the most part).
Every cottage is unique in that each has a different theme and decor from one another, ranging from a Fishing Cabin and Early American Farmhouse to French and English country.
The cottages can accommodate from 2-6 guests and are located within a 7-10 minute walk from the Historic downtown shopping and dinning district.
Nevada City and Grass Valley host a multitude of events that make year-round activities easily accessible to all. Keep an eye on our web site, PietyHillCottages.com, for our soon to be released Events Calendar, Fishing, Biking and Hiking web pages.
Enjoy your stay in Nevada City.
Micheal Trenberth, Innkeeper
About the Innkeeper
Hello and Thank You for exploring our web site. My name is Micheal Trenberth. Piety Hill Cottages and Bed & Breakfast was purchased in March of 2006. The photo above was taken in late winter of 2007. The property was in a severe state of "deferred maintenance" and has been undergoing renovation ever since.
I grew up in and around the Greater Los Angeles area. I was a Hairdresser in Southern California from June of 1975 thru February of 2006, Founder and CEO of Onsen Day Spas and Salons, Inc. and simultaneously taught as Adjunct Faculty at Riverside Community College in the Cosmetology Dept. for the last 10 years before moving to Nevada City.
My goal is to provide our guests with an affordable and semi-secluded "staycation"
with access to the wonders of The Tahoe National Forest and Historic Nevada City within walking distance.
Please introduce yourself while staying with us and let me know if there is anything
that we can do to make your stay more enjoyable!
Sharon Mills, General Manager
Sharon has been with Piety Hill Cottages since late September of 2006.
She came here from Houston Texas, fell in love with Nevada City and has been a permanent resident ever since.
When Sharon is on the property, the atmosphere is effervescent.
We look forward to serving you!
