In 1864, Joseph I. Steward had a large hotel constructed at the corner of Main and Gay Streets, the location known today as the former Bank of America parking lot. It was the most pretentious in Susanville at that time and it was a signal to the end of the log cabin era. Steward sold the hotel the following year to Miller & Kingsley for $12,911.80. The property changed hands numerous times over the years, but it always retained the Steward House name.

Whatever the case may be, the Steward House was Susanville’s social hub during its existence. On July 18, 1893, the Steward House, as well as the majority of Susanville’s business district, was destroyed by fire.

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