Stronger together: Willis family rebuilds its future at the Colonnade Hotel

A devastating accident, a leap of faith and a historic Nevada landmark have come together to shape a new beginning for Clint and Jamie Willis and their daughters, Reagan and Carter. Today, the Willis family stands at the heart of a major revitalization effort in downtown Eureka as the new owners of the Colonnade Hotel, one of the community’s most treasured historic buildings.

In October 2023, Clint and Jamie survived a serious vehicle accident that forced them to reevaluate every part of their lives. What could have been a tragic setback instead became the catalyst for profound change. “It changed our outlook on everything,” Jamie said. “This ‘horrible’ thing that happened to us was actually something that saved us.”

In the months that followed, the couple made decisive moves. Clint stepped away from his 20-year mining career, and the family began seeking a path that offered more time together, more purpose and a deeper connection to community.

Jamie was born in New Mexico and moved to Round Mountain, Nevada, at the age of eight, where she spent the rest of her childhood. She and Clint began dating during their junior year of high school, continuing their relationship throughout the remainder of high school and into college. The couple became engaged before Jamie graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Immediately after completing her degree, Jamie moved to Eureka during the three months between college and her wedding. During that time, she began her professional career at the Eureka County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher, while Clint was working in Round Mountain at Round Mountain Gold Corporation (RMGC), a gold mine owned by Canada-based Kinross Gold Corporation. 

A month after their wedding, Jamie accepted a position in the Safety Department at RMGC, prompting her to move back to Round Mountain. She went on to build a 12-year career in mine safety, becoming a respected leader and trusted resource within the mining industry. 

After leaving RMGC, Jamie launched a consulting business, helping companies manage their health and safety systems. Over the past two years, she has expanded her reach even further by joining Harbor Environmental, a Terracon company based in Arkansas. Today, she serves as the director of digital solutions, leading a team that implements, configures and administers advanced software systems used to manage ESG, health and safety, quality and environmental compliance data for companies across diverse industries nationwide.

Clint grew up in Round Mountain, where his parents moved when he was just a baby. He remained there throughout his life until relocating to Eureka. His work ethic was shaped early: at age 13, he spent summers working for his grandfather, who owned a handyman business. Together, they tackled everything from building home additions to simple repairs like replacing doorknobs. 

During high school, Clint worked at the local tire shop before beginning his mining career at RMGC when he turned 18. Over the next 15 years, he held almost every position within the operation, advancing from entry-level roles all the way to foreman. In 2019, Clint left RMGC to serve as the processing superintendent for a startup heap leach operation in the Yukon Territory. He returned to RMGC in 2020 as a metallurgist, remaining in that role until the family’s decision to move to Eureka following their life-changing accident.

Though their careers were grounded in Round Mountain, the Willises had longstanding ties to Eureka. Jamie’s parents, Jon and Winnona Eversgerd, have lived in the community for nearly two decades, and her brother, Matthew, graduated from Eureka County High School. Reagan and Carter grew up visiting their grandparents in the tiny town, and it was their grandparents’ encouragement that led Jamie and Clint to consider making Eureka their home.

What ultimately drew the family to Eureka was their desire for their daughters to attend local schools. Clint and Jamie decided to go all in. They enrolled the girls in Eureka Elementary School before the purchase of the hotel was complete, trusting that they would find another place to live in town if things didn’t work out. That leap of faith opened the door to the opportunity that would reshape their future. 

The Colonnade Hotel is one of Eureka’s most iconic historic structures. Built in 1880 by the Italian Benevolent Society, the hotel emerged during a period of mining prosperity. Throughout the town’s booms and busts, it served not only as lodging but also as a community hall, hosting events, meetings and celebrations that helped define the town’s social life. 

Today, the Colonnade stands as part of the Eureka Historic District, symbolizing the community’s heritage and resilience. Converted into a private residence in 1999, it later operated as lodging and earned features on tourism platforms, including Travel Nevada, for its architectural charm and historic value. 

Jamie learned the Colonnade Hotel was for sale through a phone call, and admits she had no idea what the building even was. As she began researching it, she quickly fell in love with the photos and was shocked she had never seen it before, despite her parents having lived in Eureka for nearly 20 years. When she showed Clint a picture and asked if he had ever noticed it, he replied, “Yeah, I saw it last week. I want it.” 

That moment began the long and challenging journey to purchase the historic property. Though they encountered numerous obstacles and delays along the way, the Willises remained determined, ultimately closing on the hotel in October 2024 and moving in the following month.

Renovations have presented challenges, particularly finding contractors willing to travel to Eureka, but progress remains steady. Last year, the family completed one of the building’s most significant upgrades: replacing 20 upstairs windows. 

Looking ahead, their plans include converting their personal apartment into another rental, remodeling the entire upstairs to add more studio units and creating a new public gathering space.

Clint is now the full-time property manager, marking a meaningful transition from his decades-long mining career. 

Today, the Willis family manages the Colonnade as a short-term rental property, currently listing two renovated studio apartments on Airbnb. The family is also exploring alternate booking methods to make reservations even more accessible. 

Further details on the Colonnade Hotel’s history are available through the provided reference links. 

• https://noehill.com/nv_eureka/nat1973001078.asp
• https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/73001078_text
• https://travelnevada.com/hotels/unique-stays/colonnade-hotel/
• https://www.facebook.com/ColonnadeHotelEurekaNevada/ 
• https://www.facebook.com/EurekaCountyNV/posts/eureka-county-through-time-colonnade-hotelthe-colonnade-hotel-has-stood-on-eurek/696956290096298/

For Clint, Jamie, Reagan and Carter, the Colonnade Hotel is far more than a business venture. It represents healing, purpose and the opportunity to build something meaningful together. From the aftermath of a life-altering accident to the stewardship of a 145-year-old landmark, the Willis family’s journey is one of resilience, renewal and hope. 

What began as hardship has grown into a legacy that preserves Eureka’s past while building its future. 

The Colonnade Hotel is located at 90 North Monroe St. in Eureka. Reach them at 775-346-1182 or colonnade.cw@gmail.com.