Sausalito in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Purity Market
1935
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025
1. Old Purity Market Marker
Erected by Sausalito Historic District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1935.
Location. 37° 51.315′ N, 122° 28.741′ W. Marker is in Sausalito, California, in Marin County. It is on Bridgeway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 660 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA 94965, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in the North Coast, and specifically 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Becker Building (a few steps from this marker); Princess Theater (a few steps from this marker); Fiedler's General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Yee Tock Chee Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Sausalito (within shouting distance of this marker); Celebrating 50 Years of Sisterhood: Sausalito & Viρa del Mar (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bank of Sausalito (about 300 feet away); Sausalito World War I Memorial (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sausalito.
Also see . . . From Ferries to Fine Dining
this page online
In 1941, a Purity Market was opened there, featuring a distinctive arched roof. It was our proto supermarket, in the words of Sausalito native Rick Seymour.(Submitted on September 14, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
According to the book Saucelito/$au$alito by George Hoffman, The Purity store was well liked. Although it was one of a huge chain of stores, it had a homey feeling to it. It was not large, all the clerks were local, the manager was a native of Sausalito, the butchers knew everybody, and all customers knew each other. It was a very important business establishment, and although they had a monopoly in town the prices weren't high because the manager wouldn't be a part of it. The policy at Sausalito Purity was dictated by the manager mainly, and not by a hard and fast rule from Chicago. This was one store where it was safe to say that everybody shopped. The floor was like an old school room; heavily oiled, dark, worn in places and squeaky. The butcher counter was near the entrance so there was always a trickle of sawdust where you entered, and tracks leading further in. A favorite drinking fountain dispensed icy water that came through pipes within the heavily walled refrigerated meat storage room. Stepping into the store, you were immediately greeted by a friend; customer or clerk.
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025
2. Old Purity Market Marker
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 26, 2025
3. Old Purity Market
Sausalito Historical Society, 1941
4. Old Purity Market
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 14, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
