At State and Perkins, circa 1873
Brothers Henry and Charles Hofman were providing general merchandise of all types for Mendocino County residents at their store on the southwest corner of State and Perkins streets when this photo was taken. This structure was completed in January 1866, and was originally the general merchandise store of Riley & Hardin.
The Hofman brothers were doing business at the location by 1870. In 1874, Henry Hofman left Ukiah for San Francisco, and Charles continued running the business as C. Hofman. In 1877, Charles Hofman and A. Marks & Co. traded stores, and the Marks family did business at the location for many years, eventually tearing down this building and erecting the twostory structure that remains today, known to local residents as the Marks Building.
Following is more local news from the 1800s:
FRIDAY, AUI. 3, 1866 MENDOCINO Fire
On Wednesday morning last, about 9 o’clock, the bath-house of I. Cohen, adjoining the Ukiah City Hotel, was discovered to be on fire. The alarm being given at an early stage of the fire, it was soon arrested.
The fire originated from the too near contact of the stove pipe from the furnace, to the roof – a frightful source of accidental – or, rather, careless fires. Had it fairly got headway, it would have been a serious matter for Ukiah. Nearly the whole block is a mass of wooden buildings, including the Hotel, and only a forty foot stretch between that and Cleveland’s saddle shop, another large wooden building.
Ukiah Mill
On and after April 1st, 1865, the above mill will grind for 25 cents per 100 pounds; or, one-fifth of the grain. Custom work done promptly, and good flour guaranteed from good wheat. Moore & Sanders.
MAY 2, 1879 UKIAH CITY PRESS
The only importer of fine wines and liquors in this county is W.A. Hoffman, who has a large stock. For sale by the bottle for medicinal use.
JAN. 9, 1891 MENDOCINO DISPATCH DEMOCRAT
Mrs. Frasier of Potter Valley was the lucky lady in the race for the elegant mirror that J.W. Eversole, the furniture man, gave away last month. Mrs. Frasier returned 101 tickets, and is very proud of her prize, as a thing of beauty is a joy forever.
___
We have sent out a large number of accounts this week, and sincerely hope that those indebted to us will respond by settling up immediately. We need money.
SDPT. 4, 1891 MENDOCINO DISPATCH DEMOCRAT
From the report of the Secretary of the State Viticultural Commission, just compiled we glean the following statistics relative to grape growing in Mendocino county: Total acres in grapes, 204; acres in bearing, 183; acres of wine grapes, 190; acres of table grapes, 14. The figures for the whole State are as follows: Total acres in grapes, 168,366; acres in bearing, 122,168; acres of wine grapes, 90,223; acres of table grapes, 9,360; acres of raisin grapes, 68,837.
___
The receipts of lumber, shingles, and ties at San Francisco from Mendocino county for the month of August were as follows: Lumber 7,744,030 feet, shingles 140,000, ties 97,936.
___
You will have no use for spectacles if you use Dr. J.H. Mclean’s Strengthening Eye Salve; it removes the film and scum which accumulates on the eye balls, subdues inflammation, cools and soothes the irritated nerves, strengthens weak and failing sight. 25 cents a box.
___
Owing to the scarcity of water, the business streets around town were not sprinkled as usual last Monday, and the dust was almost suffocating at times.
___
A fine new building
B. Marks & Co. will immediately commence the erection of a brick building on the corner of School and Perkins Streets.
In outward appearance it will be a counterpart of the A. Marks building, and the upper story will be fitted up for a fine public hall. Mr. Marks purchased four feet of land from J.R. Moore yesterday to give him sufficient frontage on Perkins street.