Auburn in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Olivers
Photographed By James King, August 9, 2013
1. Olivers Marker
Inscription.
Olivers. . In 1889 Walter Gaffett set up a powder factory which was part of the Giant Powder Company from the Bay Area. It's reported that 22 people died from explosions by 1917 when the factory was dismantled. This building originally was the company store. Oley Hayworth opened it as a gas station and grocery store in the 1920s. Destroyed by fire in the late 1940s it was replaced by the current structure in 1950. The land was purchased from the Harrington Family by the Bailey Family in 1955, who remain the current owners. It became Olivers in 1982. This is the last surviving operational service station from the Lincoln Highway, Victory Highway, Highway 40 era in Placer County.
In 1889 Walter Gaffett set up a powder factory which was part of the Giant Powder Company from the Bay Area. It's reported that 22 people died from explosions by 1917 when the factory was dismantled. This building originally was the company store. Oley Hayworth opened it as a gas station and grocery store in the 1920s. Destroyed by fire in the late 1940s it was replaced by the current structure in 1950. The land was purchased from the Harrington Family by the Bailey Family in 1955, who remain the current owners. It became Olivers in 1982. This is the last surviving operational service station from the Lincoln Highway, Victory Highway, Highway 40 era in Placer County.
Erected 2009 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 2008-10.)
Location. 38° 58.131′ N, 121° 1.225′ W. Marker is in Auburn, California, in Placer County. Marker is on Lake Arthur Road, 0.1 miles south of Placer Hills Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15701 Lake Arthur Road, Auburn CA 95602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker is on the front wall of the store but unfortunately covered by the security-screen door when the business is open.
Photographed By James King, August 9, 2013
2. Oliver's and a nice Corvette
The shadow of the marker can be seen through the open security screen door. The Vette was just fortuitous.
Photographed By James King, August 9, 2013
3. Oliver's
Carey Pearce, Grand Trustee of the Native Sons of the Golden West holds the security gate to show the location of the plaque over his right shoulder
Photographed By Kristofer Nelson, March 14, 2009
4. Dedication Ceremony
Grand President Duane Gavin presiding
Photographed By Kristofer Nelson, March 14, 2009
5. Dedication Day at Olivers
Photographed By Kristofer Nelson, March 14, 2009
6. Dedication Day at Olivers
Photographed By Kristofer Nelson, March 14, 2009
7. Dedication Day at Olivers
Photographed By Kristofer Nelson, March 14, 2009
8. Past and Future
Future Grand President Dwight Dutschke (l)
Past Grand President Tom Perazzo (r)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 18, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.