The William Tell Hotel is a unique local example of western false-front architecture typical of the 1870's and 1880's. The building is one of the oldest commercial buildings in St. Helena, dating from the period of the town's incorporation.

The enterprise was originally operated as the William Tell Saloon by B. Tossetti who owned a small wine cellar in St. Helena.

In 1878, the Salmina family purchased the building. The family would later establish Larkmead Winery.

In 1898, Walter Martini acquired the hotel.

William Tell operated continuously from the l870s until the 1940s as a saloon, hotel and restaurant. It was typical of the many early hotels established in Napa County by Italian, Swiss, German and French immigrants.

Source: Adapted from the NRHP nomination submitted in 1982.