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

The Italian Store

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. The Italian Store Marker

Inscription. Built is 1861 by Antonio and Caterina Gagliardo. Served as a Post Office and social center for the community of Douglas Flat. A hand dug well located next to the store supplied Douglas Flat with good fresh water and remains in good shape today. James Malespina purchased the store in 1885 where it remained in the family for several years.

A Wells Fargo office also occupied the building with a safe and armed guard to protect the gold from the Table Mountain and along Coyote Creek. The mines included The Ohio, Hitchcock, Southwestern, Texas and the Lone Star. Some of these are located directly behind the store. The guard stationed at the rear of the building at its noticeable gun port. Should anyone try to bust the safe, he only had to poke his shotgun through the port that was aligned with the safe and pull the trigger.

Erected 2001 by Matuca Chapter 1849 E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 272.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Notable Buildings • Notable Places • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 38° 6.978′

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N, 120° 27.248′ W. Marker is in Douglas Flat, California, in Calaveras County. It is on Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1331 Main St, Douglas Flat CA 95229, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of Brownsville (approx. 1.1 miles away); Joseph Schachten (approx. 1.2 miles away); Murphys Grammar School (approx. 1.4 miles away); Buena Vista Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Murphys' Oldest Wooden Home (approx. 1½ miles away); Dunbar House (approx. 1½ miles away); Valente Building (approx. 1½ miles away); Ebbetts Pass Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Douglas Flat (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding The Italian Store. In 1937 this site was designated California Historical Landmark No 272 - DOUGLAS FLAT. “Douglas Flat was a roaring mining camp of the early 1850s. In 1857 the Harper and Lone Star Claims produced $130,000 worth of gold. The so-called Central Hill Channel, an ancient river deposit from which vast quantities of gold have been taken, is located here.”

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 1, 2008

2. The Italian Store Marker

The Italian Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, September 1, 2008

3. The Italian Store

The marker is to the left.

Interior View of the Italian Store image. Click for full size.

August 24, 2012

4. Interior View of the Italian Store

August 24, 2012

5. Interior View of the Italian Store

Gilleado Building Plaque, Inside the Italian Store image. Click for full size.

August 24, 2012

6. Gilleado Building Plaque, Inside the Italian Store

Gilleado Building
1851 This stone and adobe building, built in 1851, served as a bank and Wells Fargo stage stop. A little iron-shuttered opening at the left of the rear door opened to a lean-to cabin where the guard kept his shotgun trained at all times on the safe inside the bank building. The building also served as the general store.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,385 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on August 27, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 23, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 27, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.