Groveland

Watts & Tannahill Building / Iron Door Saloon

The Watts & Tannahill Building is one of two Gold Rush era buildings located on the Tannahill block. The two-story structure was erected circa 1851 for use as a general store. During the 1860’s and 70’s, the Masonic Lodge owned the upper story, using it for their meeting hall.

The Iron Door Saloon stands on the east end of the block. Known for a time as the Granite Store, liquid refreshment has always been available in this old building, leading to the Iron Door’s claim of being the oldest saloon in California. Constructed of stone sometime before 1852, it also once housed John Watts and James Tannahill’s general mercantile store.

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