Oakley Dry Goods Store
The growing community of Oakley traces its roots to 1897, when the town’s first land owner, R. C. Marsh, came to the area and settled on what was thought to be infertile land.
On September 7, 1898, Marsh was named the town’s first postmaster and Oakley became a town.
Nicknamed “Sand Lappers” by critics who said they’d never be able to grow crops in the sandy soil created by the nearby Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the early settlers proved otherwise by turning Oakley into a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Oakley has seen many changes in the past century. At one time, one of the hot spots in town was the Oakley Hotel. Built in 1903, this landmark burned down in 1924, during a fire that destroyed half the town. Just 15 years later, another fire burned down the other side of the street.
Farming was a big part of Oakley’s heritage. At one point in the 1950’s, Oakley was one of the leading almond producing areas in California.
Below are some photos right out of the history of “old time” Oakley!
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- Campbell’s Chevrolet
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- Oakley Hotel
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- Oakley Farmhouse
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- Main Street, Oakley
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- Oakley Concert Band
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- Early Oakley Parade
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- Malicoat’s Market
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- Oakley Cash Store
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- Three people on the porch behind a picket fence in Oakley
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- Main Street business displaying ad for Pepsi
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- Stagecoach on the road into Oakley
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- Two men shaking hands inside a store
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- Church at the corner of Live Oak and Main Street
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- House with white picket fence in old Oakley
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- Oakley Dry Goods Store
