Callahan's Finally Back in Business

A Siskiyou Pass landmark is back open after a fire burned it down in September 2006.

Callahan's Mountain Lodge officially opened at 5 p.m. Friday.

The restaurant and lodge first opened in 1947, and moved to its current location on the Siskiyou Pass in 1956.

Days after fire closed the business, calls started coming in.

"(They said) please tell us you're reopening please tell us you're not going to be gone for good it was the community and realizing how much the business meant to people owners realized there was not other option," said Sean James, the Callahan's general manager.

Staff has been working for months to get things ready for this day. Some longtime customers say they could hardly wait.

"It's stunning a wonderful job they've done elements of the old Callahan's you still feel the old Callahan's the transformation is incredible," said Mitch Klaich, lives nearby.

The new four-story building has 19 rooms, including several penthouse suites. The lobby, staircase, and rooms, a mixture of old and new.

"We really tried to capture as much as of the old Callahan's as possible with a few touches to make our business more suited to the clientele and demands of the demographics," said James.

Many say Southern Oregon just wouldn't be the same without it.

"What they've done here we would have never expect this is a wonderful you're going to get everything Callahans known for times 10," said Klaich.

The owners spent a lot of time on small details, such as pinecone furnishings on the walls.

There are also several new additions to the lodge, including a gift shop, wine tasting room and a spa.

For information visit www.callahanslodge.com.