Watts & Tannahill Company Store
Also known as: Iron Door Saloon
Why it's listed
Built around 1851 in the Gold Rush settlement of Garrote, now Groveland, this single-story stone building on Highway 120 was first the Watts and Tannahill Company Store, commonly called the Granite Store. Its front and rear walls are carefully cut granite blocks, with slate used for the side walls and basement. The nomination describes it as the only Gold Rush era stone building left in Groveland and notes that the use of cut granite appears unique to this store. It served as a mercantile from about 1850 until the late 1880s, and James Tannahill was postmaster from 1863 to 1880. Giacomo De Ferrari opened a saloon here in 1896, and the building has operated as a saloon or bar ever since, known as the Iron Door Saloon for its iron fire doors. Later buildings were added on both sides and a large gable roof now covers it, yet the granite front remains distinct. The property was listed for its architecture and its role in the town's early settlement.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a fine example of Gold Rush commercial architecture under Criterion C, and the only Gold Rush era stone building left in Groveland, with cut granite walls believed unique locally. Under Criterion A it was one of the first permanent structures in Garrote (Groveland) and has been central to the town's commercial and social life, first as a mercantile store and since 1896 as a saloon.
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 95000265, listed March 31, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 18761 Main St. (CA 120), Groveland |
|---|---|
| County | Tuolumne County |
| Listed | March 31, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000265 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1851 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century/other: stone commercial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as the Iron Door Saloon, a bar and restaurant, and undergoing slow restoration by its owners. |
| Acreage | 16 |
| Coordinates | 37.83909, -120.22964 (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 95000265.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q130337419
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.