There are many stone buildings in Murphys, some built before the fire of 1859 and others after. Time and neglect caused many of these buildings to be taken down, many along the roads were deemed dangerous.  One by one they disappeared, with most of them gone by the early 1940s. Below are stories of some of these survivors.

by Maureen Elliott, Oct 2026

 

 PETER TRAVER’s STONE STORE was built before the fire and withstood every fire that took place in Murphys.

Traver, Peter L.pdf

VICTOR COMPERE’S STONE STORE was built in November of 1858 and withstood the flames of the 1859 fire.

The Compere Store.pdf

DR. JONES APOTHACARY was erected after the 1859 fire, to replace the two story wood building that had been there earlier.

Jones Apothecary bld.pdf

FRANCISCO VASSOLA had his stone building erected after the 1859 fire destroyed his earlier wood building.

Francisco Vassola store.pdf

JOHN THOMPSON  built his stone store after the 1859 fire. A two story wood building called the Cottage House had been on the lot before the fire.  He was a stone mason by trade and also built the Peter Traver store building.

Thompson Building.pdf

The THORPE BAKERY building was not built until after the 1859 fire, replacing a wood building that had been the store of a tin smith. The stone building was also used as a tin shop for years after it was built before being turned into a bakery.

Thorpe bakery bld..pdf

JAMES VALENTE did not have his building erected until the early 1890s. He ran a shoe and boot shop there.

Valente Building.pdf