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. 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

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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.

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. It is on Eureka Way (California Route 299), on the left when traveling west.

Litsch Store and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 25, 2013

2. Litsch Store and Marker

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15375 California 299, Shasta CA 96087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Shasta Cascade.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

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 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 (about 400 feet away); Noble’s Trail (about 500 feet away); Survivors of the Gold Rush (about 500 feet away); “Stage Drivers’ Plaque” (about 600 feet away); The Coyle-Foster Barn in its Heyday (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map