HISTORIC OLD WEST BAR & MUSEUM: SIP & BROWSE
REAL ESTATE PRACTICE, REDDING LIFESTYLES, SHASTA COUNTY
September 17th, 2008
French Gulch is home to the historic
E. Franck & Co. Bar. Established in 1854 as a general merchandise
store stocking mining supplies for prospectors during the Gold Rush. John, the bartender, stated the business has been in the family for 130+ years. He married into the business, after meeting and later marrying his high school sweetheart from French Gulch High.
His wife’s great grandparents were the founders of the business. John allowed us to thumb through old ledgers where sales were documented by handwritten entries using a quill pen . Cigars: 50 cents. Even the owner’s son had his purchases documented. (Click on the following link to view slide show:) http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-65252.html
Merchant Ledger
They kept the books for the local electric company too. Homes paid a flat 50 cents/month in 1915. Ceiling fans and electric motors were charged extra.
Bottles, irons, beer cans, insulators, clothing, guns, books, scales and yes, that provocative picture of Jackie O adorn the walls of the saloon. Locals running bar tabs have designated slots for their bills behind the bar. Play a game of pool, stretch out on the back porch, sip a beer and consider all the history contained in this bar’s eclectic collection of Shasta County’s past. This slice of the old west is only a 25 minute drive west of Redding. Look for the French Gulch turnoff just west of Whiskeytown Lake off Hwy 299.
Across the street is the French Gulch Hotel that is operating as a B&B including a bar and restaurant. This property is listed for sale through our office. Call for availability.
530-941-7492 or 530-224-6767
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
