The Emporium is a historic commercial building erected in 1897 in Jamestown, California. It was built as a department store which was short-lived, in the early 20th century served as a mercantile and telephone exchange, and from 1936 until 1967 it operated as a grocery store.
It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since February 17, 1978, for architecture and historical significance for the region; is also listed as a California Historical Landmark since February 17, 1978; and has a historical marker erected since 2007 by the Tuolumne County Historical Society. The building now serves as an antiques shop and cafe.
History
The Emporium was built in 1897 by J.W. Witney and Sons as a department store, with the first floor serving as the main place of sales. It cost US$10,000 to build, and was designed by C.H. Wilson in a Late Victorian style. It was a pioneering department store in Tuolumne County and the region, however it only occupied the building for 6 months.
From 1898 until 1928, the building was owned by Moses Areant and operated as a mercantile and telephone exchange. Between 1906 and 1923, the Emporium building served as a telephone station for calls through the county.
It was sold to Jim Porter and Peter Barendregt who operated a grocery store from 1936 until 1967.