Coalinga in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bordagaray’s

One of the “Oldest Bars in the West”

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

1. Bordagaray’s Marker

Inscription. Dominique Bordagaray was born in St. Jean Pied de Port, Basses Pyrenees, France. Immigrated to the United States in 1893. Moved to Fresno Co. in 1895 and worked as a sheepherder until 1908. He established a sheep shearing camp at “Turk”, 9 miles east of Coalinga. Here he became the first man to use modern sheep shearing clippers. He homesteaded 140 acres 11 miles east of Coalinga. He also bought 6 lots on “C” street near Fifth. In 1904 he built a row of store buildings in Coalinga, one was a French laundry where he met his wife, Louisa Devaures. They were married in 1905. Their wedding was held at the Sullivan Hotel, another early Coalinga landmark. In 1913 with a partner he took over ownership of “Jack’s Place on Whiskey Row”. Later he started a tavern and rooming house on Fifth St. in 1917. This Tavern remained until the earthquake of 1983. One of the “Oldest Bars in the West”.

Erected by Coalinga Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 36° 8.37′ N,

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120° 21.585′ W. Marker is in Coalinga, California, in Fresno County. It is on North 5th Street south of East Elm Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 166 North 5th Street, Coalinga CA 93210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Crescent Meat Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredrick Tibbits and Louis O’Neill (within shouting distance of this marker); A.P. May Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Earthquake of 1983 (within shouting distance of this marker); Amy Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Sullivan Hotel (within shouting

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

2. Bordagaray’s Marker

distance of this marker); Coalinga’s Notorious Whiskey Row “1909” (within shouting distance of this marker); Webb Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coalinga.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,344 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.