San Andreas in Calaveras County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Restaurant in Town

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

1. First Restaurant in Town Marker

Inscription. On this site, Joseph Zwinge built the first restaurant - tent - in 1853 known as the American Restaurant. After losing his buildings to three fires, Zwinge erected a permanent stone structure in 1855, in 1857 a brick extension was added to enlarge the restaurant and add a few guest rooms. This building survived the fires of 1856 and 1858 and remains the oldest stone building in San Andreas and in use as of today. Zwinge & Co. sold the property to Joseph Huberty in 1858.

Another marker, also attached to the front of the building reads:
Erected in 1852, this building was used as a hotel for many years.

In 1937 it was purchased and restored by Mr. and Mrs. Désiré Fricot of Fricot City and donated to the County of Calaveras to be used as a county library, museum and chamber of commerce.

Erected 2000 by Calaveras County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 38° 11.821′ N, 120° 40.836′ W. Marker is in San Andreas, California, in Calaveras County. Marker is on North Main Street near Court Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 46 North Main Street, San Andreas CA 95249, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. San Andreas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Model 1841 12-Pound Field Howitzers (approx. 0.8 miles away); Calaveras County War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Red Barn (approx. one mile away); Calaveras County Hospital Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); California Pioneers Reinterred from Poverty Bar Cemetery (approx. 1½ miles away); Chili Gulch (approx. 1.7 miles away); Double Springs (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Andreas.

More about this marker. Marker is between the two larger middle doors.

Regarding First Restaurant in Town. The building served as the county library until 1996, and now houses the Calaveras County Archives. Note the construction date on the right most marker is at odds with the newer marker placed by the Calaveras County Historical Society in 2000.

Additional Restaurant Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

2. Additional Restaurant Marker

Calaveras County Archives Building, Constructed 1855 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

3. Calaveras County Archives Building, Constructed 1855

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,347 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 11, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.