The two-story wood-frame building was built next to the 1880 Garden Spot Pavilion, a dance hall that was a social center in an otherwise isolated portion of Wyoming.

The hotel was built by John Evans, the owner of the Elk Mountain Saloon, who in 1903 had acquired the Pavilion.

By that time better roads allowed tourism to increase, and the hotel provided accommodation to hunters and tourists.

Despite the town's isolation patrons would travel up to 200 miles (320 km) and bands would play to a packed house.

Performers playing at the Garden Spot included Lawrence Welk, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Hank Thompson and Jim Reeves.