Ukiah in Mendocino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

116 & 118 South State Street

By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2016

1. 116 & 118 South State Street Marker

Caption: The Meyer Building as seen following the June 1917 fire that destroyed much of downtown.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This sturdy iron-front building may have been a lesson learned from the April 1906 earthquake. The Dispatch Democrat newspaper reported on August 17, 1906 that a "deep cellar is being dug for a new brick building." Henry Meyer, who had come to Ukiah in 1894, built this structure as a investment property. He hired Ulysses N. Biggs, an excellent brick contractor, as the builder, who also built many other downtown buildings. On June 18, 1917, it survived the devastating fire that swept through downtown Ukiah.
The north half of the building was leased as a restaurant for sixty years. Part of that time it was "Wong Lung's California Restaurant" and for many Ukiahians their first taste of Chinese food. If they wanted take-out, customers has to bring their own food pails; Chop Suey and pork were among their favorites. The south half of the building was a saloon and liquor store for the majority of its life. Recently the building has been utilized for retail, law offices, and even a wine bar. The Meyer Building was renovated in 2007, at which time the cellar was repurposed as office space.

Topics. This historical marker

By Barry Swackhamer, July 25, 2016

2. 116 & 118 South State Street Marker

The marker is just left of the tree trunk.

Click or scan to see
this page online

is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 39° 8.97′ N, 123° 12.457′ W. Marker is in Ukiah, California, in Mendocino County. Marker is on North State Street near West Church Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 South State Street, Ukiah CA 95482, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gambrel-Hawn Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Marks Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ukiah Telephone Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Masonic Temple History (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); IOOF Lodge #174 (about 500 feet away); Eversole Building (about 700 feet away); Sun House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ukiah Vichy Springs Resort (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ukiah.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 5, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.