Honigsberger Store
Also known as: Calaveras Copper Mining Company Warehouse
Why it's listed
Built in 1865 by merchant L. Honigsberger, this one-story brick building on the Plaza in Copperopolis replaced his earlier frame store from 1861. It operated as a general merchandise store through the copper boom of the 1860s, when local mines supplied copper for Union shell casings and munitions. The building survived the fire of September 1867 that destroyed much of the town. In 1905 the family sold it to the Union Copper Mining Company, and it became the main warehouse for mining and milling supplies, notably during the 1909-1929 revival. A small corrugated metal office was added about 1909. The simple Neoclassical design features common-bond brick, a corbel table with dentils, relieving arches, and iron shutters. Of more than sixty commercial buildings from the early boom, few brick structures remain. A recent restoration returned the building to its appearance of 1865-1905, including replacement porches, flooring and roof.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be significant under Criterion A for its role in commerce and industry during the 1860s and 1909-1929 copper booms, first as a general store and later as the main warehouse for the copper companies. Under Criterion C, it is a good example of simple Neoclassical brick commercial architecture common in the Mother Lode. It is one of very few brick buildings left from the town's early boom.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 92000310, listed April 2, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 665 Main St., Copperopolis |
|---|---|
| County | Calaveras County |
| Listed | April 2, 1992 |
| Reference number | 92000310 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1865-1867, 1909-1929 |
| Architect / builder | L. Honigsberger (builder, as named in the text); form lists Architect/Builder as NA |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century / Neoclassical brick commercial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently restored; rehabilitation certified in 1990 as meeting the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Current use is commerce/business. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.97606, -120.63635 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 92000310.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14682329
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.