Afton House - Steeped in Tradition

1680 - Daniel Greysolon, Sleur de Luth journeyed down the St. Croix, accompanied by four Europeans to view the site of Afton.
1837 - Some French families settled at the mouth of Bolles Creek.
1839 - After a treaty was reached with the Chippeawa and Sioux, Joseph Haskell filed a claim to establish the first farm in the territory of Minnesota. His farm was one mile west of present day Afton.
1851 - Alexander McKarrie claimed the present site of Afton.
1858 - Village of Afton organized at a voters' meeting held in Paterson's Hotel.
1861 - Paterson's Hotel burned.
1867 - Charles C. Cushing built Afton's second hotel. It survives today and is known as the Afton House.
1876 - Cushing died.
1881 - Writing of the Afton House, the Reverend O'Neill said, "His wife still keeps it open and in good style. During the summer months the house is crowded with pleasure seekers."
1907 - "Mother Mary" Pennington acquired the Afton House and began serving her special Sunday chicken dinners.
1946 - "Mother Mary" died.
1960 - Mssrs. Smith and Myers bought the building and transformed it. In 1966, they added the Catfish Saloon.
1967 - For the 100-year anniversary, new owner Hugh Andersen remodeled again; this time, adding the main dining room and a screened porch.
1976 - The structure was purchased by Gordy and Kathy Jarvis. There were then several phases of remodeling designed with the help of Afton Woodcarver Elmo "The Builder" Erickson.
1985 - In March, Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis reached their goal to have the Afton House placed on the National Register of Historic Places. A special use permit was issued in September to restore the Afton House to its original use as a hotel.
1986 - Remodeling was completed in the Spring and the Historic Afton House Inn opened twelve hotel rooms.
1989 - Three additional rooms were completed in the spring with fireplaces and jacuzzi's.
1998 - The Catfish Saloon was remodeled.  Now, the Catfish Cafe' provides more of a family atmosphere with great food.
2002 - The Jarvis's purchased the building adjacent to the Afton House Inn.  In June the Annex building went under renovation. Nine Jacuzzi-fireplace suites opened in September.
2003 - The connection between the Afton House Inn and the Afton House Inn's Annex building was complted and four retail shops opened.