Emporium (Jamestown, California)

Emporium
Location735 Main Street,
Jamestown, California, U.S.
Coordinates37°57′10″N 120°25′22″W / 37.95278°N 120.42278°W / 37.95278; -120.42278 (Emporium)
Area0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built1897 (1897)
ArchitectC.H. Wilson
Architectural styleLate Victorian
NRHP reference No.78000817[1]
CHISL No.N558
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 17, 1978
Designated CHISLFebruary 17, 1978

The Emporium is a historic commercial building erected in 1897 in Jamestown, California.[2] It was built as a department store which was short-lived, in the early 20th century served as a mercantile and telephone exchange, and from 1936 until 1967 it operated as a grocery store.[3]

It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since February 17, 1978, for architecture and historical significance for the region;[4][5] is also listed as a California Historical Landmark since February 17, 1978;[6] and has a historical marker erected since 2007 by the Tuolumne County Historical Society.[7] The building now serves as an antiques shop and cafe.

History

The Emporium was built in 1897 by J.W. Witney and Sons as a department store, with the first floor serving as the main place of sales.[2] It cost US$10,000 to build, and was designed by C.H. Wilson in a Late Victorian style.[2] It was a pioneering department store in Tuolumne County and the region, however it only occupied the building for 6 months.[2]

From 1898 until 1928, the building was owned by Moses Areant and operated as a mercantile and telephone exchange.[2][3] Between 1906 and 1923, the Emporium building served as a telephone station for calls through the county.[2]

It was sold to Jim Porter and Peter Barendregt who operated a grocery store from 1936 until 1967.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Emporium". National Park Service. Retrieved August 27, 2025. With accompanying pictures
  3. ^ a b c "National Register #78000817: Emporium in Jamestown, California". Noehill.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  4. ^ "Emporium". NPGallery, Digital Asset Management System.
  5. ^ "National Register of Historic Places - California (CA), Tuolumne County". nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Emporium". California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP). February 17, 1978.
  7. ^ "The Emporium – 1897". Historical Marker Database (HMDB).