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

Valente Building

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

1. Valente Building Marker

Inscription. Built about 1891 of local lava rock by James Valente, custom bootmaker & dealer in hats. His boots brought the then high cost of $10.00 & wore well for years. After his demise, his widow Kate, continued sales with aid of their son, Leo, who repaired boots. 3 sons and a daughter survived them. The family home, once next door, was one of the oldest houses in town.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 38° 8.242′ N, 120° 27.548′ W. Marker is in Murphys, California, in Calaveras County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Big Trees Road, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 147 Main Street, Murphys CA 95247, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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 walking distance of this marker: Batten-Davies Store (a few steps from this marker); Dunbar House (within shouting distance of this marker); Murphys' Oldest Wooden Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buena Vista Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Murphys Grammar School (about 600 feet away); Murphys (approx. 0.2 miles away); Murphy Brothers

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Stangetti – Solari – Cademartori Store (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphys.

More about this marker. Marker is on the upper left corner of the front of the building.

Regarding Valente Building. The Valente Building currently houses Murphys Motorcycle Company, vendor of motorcyle accessories and related apparel, including boots!

Also see . . . Murphys Motorcycle Company. Webpage for the Murphys Motorcycle Company, noting their wares. (Submitted on February 13, 2009.)

Valente Building - Now Murphys Motorcycle Company image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

2. Valente Building - Now Murphys Motorcycle Company

Valente Building - Murphys Motorcycle Company Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

3. Valente Building - Murphys Motorcycle Company Sign

Attached to the east side of the building.

Murphys Motorcycle Company Storefront image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 7, 2009

4. Murphys Motorcycle Company Storefront

The astute observer will notice two things in this photo. One is the small green frogs on motorcycles - representations of frogs are frequently seen at storefronts in Calaveras County, inasmuch as Mark Twain's 1865 short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is one of the county's chief claims to fame. The other thing to notice is that the woman standing in front of the store is a mannequin.

Valente Building image. Click for full size.

July 5, 2010

5. Valente Building

An updated photo shows that the building currently is home to the Vino Noda Wine Tasting Room.

East Side of the Valente Building image. Click for full size.

July 5, 2010

6. East Side of the Valente Building

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,365 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 13, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2010. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.