Columbia in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bixel Brewery
The Alberding Building
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 4, 2014
1. Bixel Brewery Marker
This building was built in 1856 by Charles Alberding and has a predominant history as a saloon. Over time different business owners created new names for the building including: Alberding Saloon, Pioneer Saloon, Oyster Saloon, Saint Charles Saloon, and Bixel Brewery. The current name honors the Bixel’s, a prominent 1850’s family and celebrates the family’s Columbia Brewery, a tradition in Columbia for over 47 years.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 38° 2.155′ N, 120° 24.03′ W. Marker is in Columbia, California, in Tuolumne County. Marker is on Jackson Street near Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11266 Jackson Street, Columbia CA 95310, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Burns Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bountiful Place to Live (within shouting distance of this marker); Claverie Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Water, Precious as Gold (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson/McConnell House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Cosmopolitan Society
this page online
Also see . . . The Alberding Building timeline. Columbia Gazette website entry:
(AKA Alberding's Grocery & Provision Store, Charles Rehm's Saloon, St. Charles Saloon, Peerless Saloon, Pioneer Saloon, Solari Saloon, Bixel Brewery.) (Submitted on September 6, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 4, 2014
2. Bixel Brewery and Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 4, 2014
3. Interior of the Bixel Brewery
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 4, 2014
4. Plaque inside the Bixel Brewery
Charles H. Arberding put up a grocery and provisions store on this site in Sept. of 1851. Here, Peter Nicholas, too drunk to be clear about what he was doing, stabbed John Parrot. Able to avoid being lynched, Nicholas served 7 years in prison.
The present building, completed in summer of 1856 was destroyed by Fire of 1857. Rebuilt in its present form, appears to have been continuously used as a drinking establishment; first as the Aberdeen Saloon and Oyster Parlour; then as Mike Rehms St. Charles Saloon(.) In the early 20th century as the Pioneer Saloon and again now as the St. Charles Saloon.
Credo Quia Absurdum - Dedicated May 27, #1984
Matuca Chp. #1849 E. Clampus Vitus
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, October 4, 2014
5. Plaque inside the Bixel Brewery
1856
C.H, Alberding’s frame store stood here before the Fire of 1854. The present structure dating from 1856 suffered damage in the Fire of 1857 and was rebuilt. It has housed a fandango hall and an oyster parlor. Mike Rehm, said to have been “the best bartender in the diggin’s”, ran the St. Charles Saloon here for many years. In more recent years it has been known as the “Pioneer Saloon”
Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 818 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
