Auburn in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Olivers

Photographed by James King, August 9, 2013

1. Olivers Marker

Inscription. In 1889 Walter Gaffett set up a powder factory which was part of the Giant Powder Company from the Bay Area. It's reported that 22 people died from explosions by 1917 when the factory was dismantled. This building originally was the company store. Oley Hayworth opened it as a gas station and grocery store in the 1920s. Destroyed by fire in the late 1940s it was replaced by the current structure in 1950. The land was purchased from the Harrington Family by the Bailey Family in 1955, who remain the current owners. It became Olivers in 1982. This is the last surviving operational service station from the Lincoln Highway, Victory Highway, Highway 40 era in Placer County.

Erected 2009 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 2008-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 38° 58.131′ N, 121° 1.225′ W. Marker is in Auburn, California, in Placer County. It is on Lake Arthur Road 0.1 miles

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south of Placer Hills Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15701 Lake Arthur Road, Auburn CA 95602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on 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 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Junction House (approx. 3.7 miles away); Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge (approx. 3.8 miles away); a different marker also named Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge (approx. 3.8 miles away); Auburn Iron Works (approx. 5.2 miles away); Auburn Depot (approx. 5.2 miles away); a different marker also named Auburn Depot (approx. 5.2 miles away); Southern Pacific Caboose (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Chinese Coolie (approx. 5.2 miles away).

Oliver's and a nice Corvette image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, August 9, 2013

2. Oliver's and a nice Corvette

The shadow of the marker can be seen through the open security screen door. The Vette was just fortuitous.

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Auburn.

More about this marker. The marker is on the front wall of the store but unfortunately covered by the security-screen door when the business is open.

Photographed by James King, August 9, 2013

3. Oliver's

Carey Pearce, Grand Trustee of the Native Sons of the Golden West holds the security gate to show the location of the plaque over his right shoulder