Chester in Plumas County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Olde Towne Corner Store
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012
1. Olde Towne Corner Store Marker
The Chester Store, now known as the Old Towne Corner Store was built in 1912 by George Olsen after he & his brothers subdivided the Olsen Ranch. It is one of the oldest buildings in Chester.
It was purchased by Sue & Harry Isbell in 1929. Bill Poyner was the proprietor in the 50s & 60s. It has been owned and run by Ed, Lois & Gary Lickiss since 1976.
Maude Gay, cousin to the Olsens, started the Post Office in 1908 & moved it here in 1912. It has been a library, insurance office, ice house & had the first gas pumps in Chester. Rumor has it that some bootleg liquor may have passed thru these doors in the good old days. It was and remains a hub of activity in Olde Towne.
Erected 2003 by E Clampus Vitus, Las Plumas del Oro Chapter No. 8, Vigilante Outpost No. 1911.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 40° 18.686′ N, 121° 13.612′ W. Marker is in Chester, California, in Plumas County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (California Route 36) and First Avenue on Main Street.
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Shasta Cascade and in the Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, 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: Char's Beauty Salon (here, next to this marker); Mt. Lassen Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Chester Library (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of the Lumberjack (about 700 feet away); Rainbow Lodge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chester Veterans Memorial Plaza (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dave Stratford 1945 2001 (approx. 0.6 miles away); "Dinky" (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chester.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer
2. Olde Towne Corner Store Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012
3. Olde Towne Corner Store Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012
4. Olde Towne Corner Store
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 1, 2012
5. Olde Towne Corner Store
Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 881 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
