The water tower
The water tower
Stay in the tallest building in town! The Water Tower was built at the turn of the 20th Century. It was the main water supply for the bustling town of Parkfield. Now guests have the rare opportunity to stay in a water tower. This room boasts first-class amenities, a walk-in granite shower, and two stories with a queen bed and cable tv on each level. The balcony overlooks the pool, spa, and grounds.
Features:
two queen sized beds
walk in granite shower
front porch and balcony
balcony
detached unit
two stories
Art & Materials
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Building
This building originally served as Parkfield’s water tower. Built between 1912 and 1917 before widespread use of electricity, water was pumped into the tank on the third floor using a gas engine. The water was then gravity fed to the rest of town. The height and shape of this building was very unusual for its time period. It was constructed of Douglas fir, wood strong enough to support 16,000 pounds of water that the 2,000 gallon tank would have held.
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Wire wrapped posts
These beams are water pipes from an Alaskan gold mine. When filled with water the wood would swell, sealing up all of the cracks. The wire hold the wood in place.
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Railing
The railing on the outside balcony as well as the fencing around the lodge and cafe yard is old potato chain from the San Joaquin Valley. This chain was a conveyor belt used to dig potatoes out of the ground.
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Tank gauge
The long ruler in the stairwell was this water tower’s original gauge. A weighted cable hung over this gauge, allowing people on the ground to see what the water level was in the tank.
History
A water supply is unquestionably one of the most necessary things to have in a town, something that a population needs and is significant to the growth of the community. This is why the Parkfield Water Tower stands in the heart of our town. It was built at the turn of the 20th Century, between the years of 1912 and 1917 and has remained standing in its original position ever since. The tower was built to supply water to the bustling town of Parkfield where a population of around 900 miners and settlers once lived.
This water tower has always consisted of 3 floors. The top floor housed the tank in which 1,600lbs of water was held. The water was then passed down through the second floor, which was a storage room for equipment or a living quarters. When the water reached the ground floor it was pumped around town from the well which stood where your bed sits now.
The tower had a pressure gauge which hung outside and was used to measure the pressure of water coming from the water tower. The weighted cable was connected to letting people know how fast or slow the water was moving from the town’s water tower. The original gauge can still be seen in the stairwell of the room.
When cars and gasoline came to Parkfield the water towers neighboring restaurant and bar of the time (where the water fountain stands now) built two gasoline pumps. This was when the water tower also became known as the Shell Tower as it was painted to become an advertisement for Shell Gasoline. It was the perfect place to advertise as the water tower was the tallest building in town.
FAQs
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A reservation at the Parkfield Lodge does not grant you access to the V6 Ranch.
The V6 Ranch is first and foremost a working cattle ranch so guest activities are all guided and available on a limited basis.
To gain access to the V6 Ranch join us for one of our Ranch Rides. See available rides here or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).
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The Parkfield Lodge is 2.5 miles from the V6 Ranch in the one block town of Parkfield, population 18.
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Parkfield is a place to kick off your boots and relax. Enjoy our pool and hot tub, sit around the fire pit, BBQ on our expansive grounds, go for a walk or cycle down our quiet country roads, read a book in front of the fireplace in the Gathering Room, or sit on the porch and just be.
There are over 200 species of birds living in our towering Valley Oaks and golden meadows creating a symphony of birdsong. Parkfield enjoys very limited light pollution so the star gazing from the hot tub is spectacular. The Parkfield Coalinga Grade climbs over 1000 feet in just a few miles, providing a spectacular perch to watch the sunset.
Join us on the V6 Ranch for one of our Ranch Rides. See available rides here or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).
Parkfield is a place to unplug and be present.
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Outdoor Adventure
Join us on the V6 Ranch for one of our Ranch Rides (see available rides here) or inquire about a private trail ride (limited availability).Neighboring ranches also offer the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Central Coast.
- Work Family Ranch - San Miguel, CA
- Lazy Arrow Adventures - Santa Margarita, CAExplore the Beautiful Central Coast
Parkfield provides a great base to explore the stunning Central Coast. Here are some of our favorite day trips:
- Paso Robles Wine Country
- San Miguel Mission
- Scenic Highway 1
- San Luis Obispo
- Hearst Castle
- Pinnacles National Park
- Pismo BeachHunting
Parkfield’s surrounding landscapes are home to thriving populations of Wild Hogs, Black Tailed Deer, Turkeys, Dove, Quail and more. Go hunting with one of the expert guides in the Parkfield Area.
- Miller Brothers Expeditions - Parkfield, CA
- Boaring Experiences - Parkfield, CA
- Camp Five Outfitters - San Miguel, CA -
The Parkfield Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Spring, Summer & Fall Hours:
- Thursday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Friday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
- Saturday: 11:30am to 9:00pm
- Sunday: 11:30am to 8:00pmWinter Hours:
- Thursday: 11:30am to 7:00pm
- Friday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Saturday: 11:30am to 8:00pm
- Sunday: 11:30am to 7:00pmWe are open year round except for the following dates:
- The month of December
- New Years Day
- Easter Sunday
- The 4th of July -
A continental breakfast will be prepared for you each morning and put out in the Gathering Room around 8:00am. The breakfast includes a fresh baked pastry and fruit.
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Cancelation Policy:
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until ten (10) days prior to your date of arrival. If you cancel with less than ten (10) days notice, we will do our best to re-sell the room(s). If we are not able to re-sell the room(s), we will access a fee of one night plus tax (for the first night of your reservation).Pet Policy:
Well behaved pets are allowed for an additional fee of $30 per pet. Maximum of two pets. Pets must be well trained and controlled by their owner. Any damage to the room caused by your pet(s) will result in additional charges. There is an 80-pound weight limit per pet. By law, dogs may not be left unattended in rooms.No Party Policy:
To ensure the comfort of all guests as well as our neighbors, parties are not allowed at the Parkfield Lodge or on its grounds.Please understand that if other guests or neighbors are disturbed due to excessive noise, management reserves the right to ask everyone to vacate the premises and any refund of room rate will be forfeited at that time.
You may also incur a fee of $500.00 as a disturbance charge.
Additional Policies:
Rooms are double occupancy and subject to 10.5% hotel tax plus $1 tourism tax per night per room.Additional persons limited to specific rooms, are assessed a $25 per night fee. Kids under 18 are free.
Designated weekends require a minimum two-night stay for Friday and Saturday night.
explore other rooms
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The Cowboy Cabin
The Cowboy Cabin has a king size bedroom and a bedroom with two twin beds. This cabin has a large living room, breakfast nook, spacious bathroom, and a private porch with a table, chairs and two rocking chairs. It's very warm, inviting and perfect for a family.
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The Post Office
In 1907 this building was drug into place by a team of 14 horses and was used as the Parkfield Post Office for decades. Today is serves as a cozy getaway, with two bedrooms, a living area, a luxurious bathroom with a stone walk-in shower, and a front porch on Main Street Parkfield.
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The Yokut Room
The Yokut Room is a tribute to the Native American's who lived on the lands of the Cholame Valley. The Yokut Room has a king size bed and a stone walk in shower.
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Brinan Ranch Room
The Brinan Ranch Room is a tribute to the Brinan Family of San Ardo, CA, about an hour north of Parkfield. The Brinan Ranch Room has two queen size beds and a loft.
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Diablo Range Room
Dedicated to the landscape and animals that give us this unique area of California. The Diablo Range Room has a queen size bed and two twin beds in the loft area.
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The Water Tower
The Water Tower was built at the turn of the 20th Century. It was the main water supply for the bustling town of Parkfield. Now guests have the rare opportunity to stay in this beautiful building. This room boasts first-class amenities, a walk-in granite shower, and two stories with a queen bed and cable tv on each level.
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Sunset Stables Room
The Sunset Room is a tribute to Zee (Smith) Varian's family legacy who were at the heart of the equine world in Los Angeles, operating numerous riding stables and producing Wild West Shows and Rodeos around the area. Sunset Stable Room has two queen beds.
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The Tool Room
This charming and cozy room is decorated with vintage tools that were once used and collected here on the V6 Ranch. The king bed frame was made by Jack Varian using various parts of equipment and tools. The Tool Room has a king size bed.
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Varian Ranch Room
The Varian Ranch Room honors the cattle that make up our livelihood here on the V6. This room is spacious with tall ceilings, a loft, a queen bed and two twin beds.
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The Cholame Ranch Room
The Cholame Ranch Room honors the Cholame ranch that contains the only completed intact Mexican Land Grant from the early 1800's. Hardwood floors and beautiful log work give this room a warm feel. The Cholame Ranch Room has two queen size beds.
