Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
History of Old Town Center
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 9, 2010
1. History of Old Town Center Marker
The Masonic Building was built by S.G. Beach and Company in the fall of 1893 for the Placerville Masonic Hall Association, using 85,000 first quality bricks shipped from Sacramento. It housed some of the finest legal talent in the county, attorneys such as Charles Swisler who served in the state legislature beginning in 1895 and George H. Blanchard, a legislature and the foremost mining attorney in the area. The lodge rooms were upstairs.1856 – 1864- After the fire of 1856 Davis & Roy’s famous Nebraska Saloon was built.
1864 – 1871- Roy & Tryon’s Cabinet Warehouse.
1871 – 1887- A.T. Culbertson’s Furniture Store.
1887 – 1920- M.Q. Meehan Hardware Store specialized in selling carload lots of Hercules Blasting Powder used in deep gold mines.
1920 – 1958- Dr. R.A. Rantz and Don A. Goodrich owned the Sportsman Shop.
1958 – 1983- Location of Atwood Insurance Co.
1981 – The Masonic Building was purchased by Mr. & Mrs. J.K. Woo
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 38° 43.747′ N, 120° 48.074′ W. Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. Marker is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 Main Street, Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Davis and Roy News Depot / Shelley Inch Building / Placerville News Company (a few steps from this marker); Placerville Hardware (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Fairchild Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Randolph Jewelers (within shouting distance of this marker); James D. Rinehart (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Branch Saloon/Bingham's Jewelrey/Seligman Building/Ewing Building (about 300 feet away); Morning Star #20 I.O.O.F Lodge Building (about 300 feet away); The Forum Café / Union Hotel / United States Trio Hall / The Forum Café / The Blue Bell Café (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Placerville.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 9, 2010
2. Placerville Masonic Building and Old Town Center Marker
Marker is located at the center of the building to the right of the entrance door.
Photographed By Stephen McLendon
3. History of Old Town Center Marker
Main St looking west toward the Bell Tower c1889
Photographed By Syd Whittle, September 9, 2010
4. Masonic Temple - 1893
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,366 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on February 27, 2019, by Stephen McLendon of Placerville, Calif. 4. submitted on September 11, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
