North Los Altos in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

398 and 388 Main Street

circa 1910

— "The Bank" and "The Grocery" —

398 and 388 Main Street Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, December 7, 2016

1. 398 and 388 Main Street Marker

Inscription. This "double building" was built by Paul and Guy Shoup around 1910. It was the third building in downtown Los Altos and housed the offices of Altos Land Company, Los Altos Building and Loan Association, Los Altos Water Company, University Land Company, and Walter A. Clark, General Agent for the Los Altos Land Company.
In 1919, the corner side of the building, now 398 Main Street, became the First National Bank of Los Altos, locally owned by the Shoup brothers. The inner building, presently 388 Main Street, then became a series of grocery stores with the most popular being "The Red and White Store".
Alex Gordon and Ted Grebbel later purchased the store. "Gordon's" prospered and moved to a large site. At that time "Cunningham's", a dry goods store, took over.
Los Altos Old Timers still refer to the building as "The Bank" and "The Grocery." The architectural style shows "Mission Revival" characteristics. In 1974, work on the building revealed nine coats of paint and parts of the original facade beneath the existing one.

Erected by City of Los Altos.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings.

Location. 37° 22.679′ N, 122° 7.061′

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W. Marker is in Los Altos, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in North Los Altos. It is at the intersection of Main Street and First Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 388 Main Street, Los Altos CA 94022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 395/397 Main Street (a few steps from this marker); 316 Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 306 Main Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southern Pacific Railroad Station (about 300 feet away); Los Altos Elementary School (about 300 feet away); Site of Juana Briones de Miranda Home on Rancho La Purisima Concepcion (approx. 1.6 miles away); Birthplace of Silicon Valley (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mayfield Fire Bell (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Altos.

398 and 388 Main Street and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, December 7, 2016

2. 398 and 388 Main Street and Marker

The marker is at the right edge of the building, almost hidden by the tree.

398 and 388 Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, December 7, 2016

3. 398 and 388 Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.