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

A.P. May Inc.

1903 – 1973

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

1. A.P. May Inc. Marker

Inscription. A.P. May migrated from England in 1884, homesteaded at the mouth of Los Gatos Creek, in 1888 was one of the first to open a store in Coalinga. The store is now Coalinga Hardware.
He started the store on a very small scale in the early part of 1894, on Front Street across from the railroad. The town consisted of one saloon, post office, the Sorroca Hotel, the Jackson Hotel, and a few residences.
In 1897 he married Stella D. Kerr, built a home on the corner of Fifth and Elm. He thought it was far enough away from the business district.
The brick store was built in 1902, and in 1903 he put up the row of brick stores along Fifth Street to Lacey’s Cafe. He built the two-story part of the store, on Fifth Street, in 1905. The second story being used as apartments.

Erected by Coalinga Lions Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 36° 8.343′ N, 120° 21.553′ W. Marker is in Coalinga, California, in Fresno County. It is at the intersection of West Forest Avenue and North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on West Forest Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Forest Avenue, 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

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fredrick Tibbits and Louis O’Neill (a few steps from this marker); Coalinga’s Notorious Whiskey Row “1909” (a few steps from this marker); Sullivan Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Coalinga’s First Rail Station – 1891 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bordagaray’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Crescent Meat Co. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Earthquake of 1983 (about 500 feet away); Amy Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coalinga.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 22, 2013

2. A.P. May Inc. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.