Placerville in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

J. Wonderly House/N.C. Fassett Groceries & Provisions

Burn & McBride/Lofty Lou’s Yarn Shop

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 4, 2013

1. J. Wonderly House / N.C. Fassett Groceries & Provisions / Burn & McBride / Lofty Lou’s Yarn Shop Marker

Photo on marker courtesy of the El Dorado County Museum.

Inscription. Boarders and guests of the Cedar Ravine House that once stood two doors up the street purchased groceries and provisions here from 1853 to 1856. Proprietor N.C. Fassett sold a variety of goods from beans to brandy, candy to coffee, lard to lead, molasses to matches, and quince jelly to quicksilver. William Burns and Robert B. McBride who bought the Cedar Ravine stables on the south side of the street in 1860 continued operation of a grocery and provisions store here. The building also served as the residence of Burns and his wife, Sarah. After Burns and McBride moved their store to the plaza, Sarah Burns specialized in the sale of fine cigars from this location.

In the early days of Old Hangtown, when Cedar Ravine Creek ran across Main Street from the south, the road in front of the store became a mud hole. Along with the rain and flooding creek the miners habit of mining in four by four holes in the street also contributed to the unpleasant conditions.

Later this building became the home of blacksmith, J. Wonderly and his family. Wonderly operated a stable and blacksmith shop on the south of Main Street near the Bell

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Tower.

Erected by Heritage Association of El Dorado County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 38° 43.744′ N, 120° 47.803′ W. Marker is in Placerville, California, in El Dorado County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Clay Street, on the left when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 585 Main Street, Placerville CA 95667, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Gold Country,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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: Upper Central House (a few steps from this marker); The Druid Monument

J. Wonderly House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 4, 2013

2. J. Wonderly House Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); John Mohler Studebaker (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Vet’s Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fountain and Tallman Soda Works (about 600 feet away); Placerville (about 700 feet away); Thomas Maul (about 700 feet away); Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Placerville.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 894 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 10, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.