This thick walled adobe building, still in surprisingly good shape, is the last remaining commercial building in what was once the largest "China Town" in the gold country. China Town is said to have had a population of over 5,000 Chinese miners and merchants. Currently this building is not open to the public. The building was constructed of adobe in 1851 and was in continuous use as a general store until about 1920. The store served a wide area, not just the local Chinatown. Old documents show that extensive orders were placed by the surrounding ranchers and miners. Some ranches even had direct telephone lines to the store in later years. In the back of the store is a room now used as an office, but evidence exists indicting that part of this room was used as an opium den. It is one of the earliest Gold Rush buildings and one of the last adobe structures left. Foot thick walls keep the interior cool in summer, warm in winter. Be sure to drive around to the side of the building to get a glimpse of the adobe walls of the back building.

Just across the road is a small gaggle of geese and a few goats that like to say hello and beg for a hand-out.

Seasons Open: All year

Yes

Nice spot to let your dog out for a stretch.