ABOUT BREWSTERS

Mr. John Brewster migrated across the country from Illinois to California in 1852.  With his first residence in Placerville, he moved to Galt in 1869 when it was founded.  John Brewster is credited with being a true historic figure of our Great American Little Town as he was Galt’s first Post Master.

​

In 1882, Mr. John Brewster hired William W. Hamilton to design and build the Brewster Building. Once built, it housed J. Brewster & Company, selling dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hardware, groceries, crockery, lumber, insurance, and farm implements. The pair also managed a grain warehouse, supplying local farmers with feed for their stock.

​

In the late 1800’s, Galt suffered four years of poor harvest and low agricultural prices. These factors forced Mr. Brewster to file for bankruptcy in June of 1889. But all hope was not lost to him! James and Mary Bethel bought the building at an auction, renting it back to John Brewster as the economy got better.

​

After her husband died in December of 1902, Mary Bethel sold the building to Samuel Wriston for $100.  Samuel Wriston was a wealthy farmer and a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Shortly after, Wriston sold the building for $1 to the local Oddfellows Hall and Cemetery Associations.  They used the second floor for their meetings and events.

​

John Brewster died in 1905 and the building became known as the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall.  Local famers, the Sawyer Brothers, started a general merchandise business out of the first floor.

​

In 1919, the Sawyer Brothers moved to a new location and E.L. Beeler moved in and changed the nature of the business to Hardware and Farm Implements. He called the business the Galt Mercantile Company.

​

In the 1930’s, Glen McFarland opened a butcher shop.  The downstairs area continued to be a butcher shop until the 1970. After that, the building became vacant and remained that way until 1996, when the IOOF sold the building to Sacramento architect, Bob McCabe.