Shasta in Shasta County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Litsch Store
A Museum of General Merchandise
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
1. Litsch Store Marker
Inscription.
Litsch Store. A Museum of General Merchandise. By serving the daily needs of the area, Frank Litsch’s general merchandise store gives us a rare look into the lives of the people living in Shasta during the years of 1873 to 1900. As these lives were in transition, so was the store. Goods previously sold in bulk from barrels and bags instead became packaged in saleable quantities. Anonymous containers gave way to packages proudly announcing their contents and manufactures. More emphasis began to be placed on advertising and the quality of the goods. The faithful restoration of the Litsch Store as well as the use of many of the original products from the period captures the spirit of these times in a very special way. , The store is actually two brick buildings with a common wall. Henry Leo built the west building in 1855 for use as a furniture and dry goods store. In 1856, John Cushing and Orson P. Fuller built the east building and operated it as a grocery store. Both buildings went through many changes of ownership until Frank Litsch purchased the east building in 1873 and opened a family grocery store. In 1875, he purchased the west building and used it as the local post office and a warehouse. After the fire of 1878, he expanded his stock to include general merchandise. Finally, in later years, a pioneer museum was added as an extra attraction for business. It included relics found in the area as well as merchandise which had become antiques while sitting on the store shelves., While the businesses in Shasta went through many changes over the years, with many being closed and their owners moving on to other towns, the Litsch family remained, operating their family store until 1960 when it became part of Shasta State Historic Park., The Litsch Store Museum is open today through the efforts of the State Parks Volunteer Program. Further information about operating hours and the Volunteer Program can be obtained at the Courthouse Museum or by calling 243-8194.
By serving the daily needs of the area, Frank Litsch’s general merchandise store gives us a rare look into the lives of the people living in Shasta during the years of 1873 to 1900. As these lives were in transition, so was the store. Goods previously sold in bulk from barrels and bags instead became packaged in saleable quantities. Anonymous containers gave way to packages proudly announcing their contents and manufactures. More emphasis began to be placed on advertising and the quality of the goods. The faithful restoration of the Litsch Store as well as the use of many of the original products from the period captures the spirit of these times in a very special way.
The store is actually two brick buildings with a common wall. Henry Leo built the west building in 1855 for use as a furniture and dry goods store. In 1856, John Cushing and Orson P. Fuller built the east building and operated it as a grocery store. Both buildings went through many changes of ownership until Frank Litsch purchased the east building in 1873 and opened a family grocery store. In 1875, he purchased the west building and used it as the local post office and a warehouse. After the fire of 1878, he expanded his stock to include general merchandise. Finally, in later years, a pioneer museum was added as an extra attraction for business. It included
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relics found in the area as well as merchandise which had become antiques while sitting on the store shelves.
While the businesses in Shasta went through many changes over the years, with many being closed and their owners moving on to other towns, the Litsch family remained, operating their family store until 1960 when it became part of Shasta State Historic Park.
The Litsch Store Museum is open today through the efforts of the State Parks Volunteer Program. Further information about operating hours and the Volunteer Program can be obtained at the Courthouse Museum or by calling 243-8194.
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 40° 35.857′ N, 122° 29.413′ W. Marker is in Shasta, California, in Shasta County. Marker is on Eureka Way (California Route 299), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15375 California 299, Shasta CA 96087, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cold Storage Room (within shouting distance of this marker); Southside Ruins (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western Star Lodge No. 2 (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Western Star Lodge No. 2
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013
More about this marker. The Litsch Store is a part of Shasta State Historic Park.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
3. Litsch Store Interior & Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
4. Litsch Store Interior & Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
5. Litsch Store Interior & Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
6. Litsch Store Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
7. Litsch Store Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
8. Litsch Store Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
9. Litsch Store Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
10. Litsch Store Merchandise
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 23, 2016
11. Litsch Store Merchandise
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 800 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 26, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 13, 2016, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 25, 2016, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 1, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.