Marshall Station

Ok, so this is the building as it looked a few weeks before we bought it...yeah, I know "What were they thinking?!", right? Such interesting history - legend has it that Clara Qualls built much of the building (with her own hands!) - right down to making many of the bricks using clay from the neaby creek. Her initals can still be seen etched in a brick in the fireplace.

The building is actually in pretty good repair but it needs a huge cosmetic overhall. I plan to restore the historic flavor of the place over the next couple of years. I'm on the hunt for old photos, press, personal stories - anything that will help share the character of the place. But first - a new roof!

The current tenant, Fernando Madrigal, is operating an awesome restaurant there called Don Fernando's - www.chefdonfernando.com. He offers regional southern Mexican cuisine. Corn-melon pico de gallo, whole beans and smooth and smoky pablano chile salsa are some of his singature touches.

The property changed hands several times over the years and was used variously as a general store, post office, gas station, restaurant and roadhouse bar. My family bought it in October, 2011.

Marshall Station is located in the foothills of the Sierras about 14 miles up Auberry Road from the Copper Ave. turnoff. This place has a really interesting history. It is located on the former site of Grabners Post Office, which operated from 1914 until 1933. The original wood frame building was torn down and the new building was built in 1934 after Jim Marshall and his wife, the former Clara Qualls, bought it.