Emporium
Why it's listed
Built in 1897 at 735 Main Street in Jamestown, the Emporium is a rectangular two-story brick commercial building with living quarters upstairs and a sales room and offices below. Its facade features a roofed second-story balcony with four symmetrical arches repeated at street level, along with Eastlake finials on the false front. C.H. Wilson served as both architect and builder for J.W. Witney and Sons, and a contemporary newspaper called it among the most imposing business buildings in Tuolumne County, apart from the Hotel Victoria. The Emporium operated as a pioneer department store selling clothing and furnishings, passing to Moses Areant and then, in 1928, to Porter and Barendregt, who ran it until 1969. From 1906 to 1923 it also served as a county telephone station. The facade and ground floor retain their original millwork and integrity, and the building is a focal point on its street. Restoration of the upstairs apartment and dance hall was under way when the property was nominated.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Emporium is architecturally significant for its outstanding, largely unaltered facade with a two-story gallery, double archwork and Eastlake detailing. It is also historically significant as a pioneer department store in Tuolumne County that operated until 1969 and served as a telephone station between 1906 and 1923.
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 78000817, listed February 17, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 735 Main St., Jamestown |
|---|---|
| County | Tuolumne County |
| Listed | February 17, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000817 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897 |
| Architect / builder | C.H. Wilson |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian with Eastlake detailing |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fair condition and occupied; the upstairs apartment and dance hall are being restored to their 1897 appearance, and the roof, parapet and chimneys have been repaired. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 37.95267, -120.42372 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 78000817.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q133571404
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.