Glen Ellen in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Charles J. Poppe Building
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 28, 2009
1. Charles J. Poppe Building Marker
Dry Goods & General Merchandise Store
1883-1937
and
Glen Ellen Post Office
First built of wood in 1883
Destroyed by fire in 1905
Rebuilt of stone with two stories in 1906
Damaged in 1906 Earthquake
Rebuilt with three stories in 1907 top two stories of wood
Glen Ellen Historical Society, October 12, 1996
Erected 1996 by Glen Ellen Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location. 38° 21.749′ N, 122° 31.564′ W. Marker is in Glen Ellen, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is at the intersection of Arnold Drive and London Ranch Road, on the left when traveling north on Arnold Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glen Ellen CA 95442, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Glen Ellen Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Historical Tid-bits about Glen Ellen (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jack and Chairman London (approx. 0.8 miles away); The London and Greenlaw Gravesites (approx. 0.9 miles away); Jack London Historical State Park (approx. 0.9 miles
this page online
Regarding Charles J. Poppe Building. The July 6, 1905 morning edition of the Los Angeles Herald carried a front page AP story of the Glen Ellen fire that destroyed the building. The article in its entirety: "Glen Ellen Visited by Disastrous Fire
Sonoma, Cal., July 5.- Fire broke out in Glen Ellen last night about 9 o'clock and a block in the main part of town was entirely destroyed. Losers were Charles Poppe, residence and postoffice; A.M. Hoffman, store and residence; J. Martins, saloon; Charles Payne, residence. The fire originated in the kitchen of Payne's residence. The loss is several thousand dollars."
via Glen Ellen Historical Society, Unknown
2. Charles J. Poppe
Glen Ellen Historical Society website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of the Sonoma County Library, 1906
3. Charles J. Poppe Building - Second Version
This is the second version of the Poppe Building. Although the photograph is undated, it is almost certain to have been taken prior to April 16, 1906 - the date of the earthquake mentioned on the marker.
Photographer Unknown, Courtesy of Sonoma County Library, circa 1907?
4. Charles J. Poppe Building - Third Version
The library record for this photo gives a 1906 date, however this seems unlikely given that the earthquake that damaged the second version of the building was in April 1906, and the marker itself lists the third version's construction date as 1907.
Barely visible in the pictures are signs for the post office and Pioneer Saloon.
Barely visible in the pictures are signs for the post office and Pioneer Saloon.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 28, 2009
5. Charles J. Poppe Building - Third Version Today
Somewhere along the way the building lost the third floor.
The marker is barely visible, mounted between the two windows that are between the middle and rightmost doors.
The marker is barely visible, mounted between the two windows that are between the middle and rightmost doors.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,006 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 15, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2. submitted on August 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 15, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
