Giuseppe (Joe) Murer was born in Crespano del Grappa,
a small town about 30 miles east of Venice, Italy, on November 15, 1885.
After the San Francisco earthquake of April 12, 1906,
news quickly spread to Italy of the plentiful work available for carpenters to come and rebuild the city. Murer, then 21 years old, decided overnight to go to California with three other young men from his Crespano del Grappa.
After a few years, with money he had earned building small hotels, he came to Folsom. Once in Folsom, Murer became the proprietor of the New Western Hotel (now known as the Folsom Hotel) at 703 Sutter Street.
He then built the gas station and garage at 701 Sutter. He also built the Folsom Fire House across the street, which still stands between the Hacienda restaurant and American Visions gallery. He bought 705 Sutter Street and basically reconstructed it, tearing down the wood store front and replacing it with the detailed inset windows present today. In 1940, he built the Folsom post office at 627 Sutter Street, along with three offices/stores at 305, 307, and 309 Riley Street.
Giuseppe Murer became an American citizen in 1913. Giuseppe “Joe” became involved in the local community, developing long lasting ties. He served as Fire Chief of the Folsom Volunteer Fire Department and joined the Knights of Phythias in 1917. He was a 25-year member of the Folsom Aeries of the Eagles organization. He also served as President of the Portuguese Club, to his chagrin, after being asked to serve by his numerous Portuguese friends.
Mallory took the photo of me on Tuesday, during our scavenging in Folsom.
And this is a photo I took of the building on May 13 on a Funday.