Crescent Meat Co.

Crescent Meat Co.. Jacob Zwang was born in Sennefeld, Baden Germany and migrated to the United States in 1896 at the age of 16 years. He arrived at 2:00 o’clock in the morning and was met by his uncle Moses Levy, and cousin Albert Levy. This was the start of a partnership that lasted more that (sic) sixty-eight years. They ran a butcher shop in Visalia until 1900 when they moved their business to Laton to take advantage of growing trade afforded by the settlers of a large Spanish land grant. In 1905, Jake Zwang made an exploratory visit to the settlement known as Coalinga. The area had long produced large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. There was some dry farming, but the big attraction was the booming oilfields. . The Levy’s and Jake Zwang bought the Coalinga Market and Crescent Market from the four pioneer Kreyenhagen Bros. in 1905. They moved their business into a new brick building. In 1906, the Levy’s and Zwang incorporated under the name Crescent Meat Company, and continued in the business of raising, butchering and selling meat. The three partners all holding equal shares; Moses Levy, Pres., Albert Levy, Director and Manager, and Jacob Zwang, Vice Pres. . In 1912 the Crescent Meat Co. combined interests with the Hays Cattle Co. operating in the Coalinga area, The Avenal Ranch and the Hays Ranch in Yavapai County, Arizona. This association lasted until 1953 when holdings were divided. In 1938 the Crescent ceased the operation of the meat market. Robert Zwang and Marion Ellis, grandsons of Albert Levy acquired this business. They continued the market for a number of years and then the building was taken over by George Lacy to have a larger floor space to accommodate his popular restaurant. It remained Lacey’s Cafe until the earthquake of 1983.