Cressman’s Store, a landmark in Fresno County mountains since 1904, destroyed by Creek Fire
UPDATE: Cressman’s owner to rebuild historic store near Shaver Lake. He saw Creek Fire destroy it
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Cressman’s General Store along Highway 168 has burned, along with both sides of Highway 168 at the top of the four-lane below Shaver Lake.
The area was unscathed Monday afternoon.The business, established in 1904, served food and gas for many tourists heading up to the High Sierra.
On Tuesday morning, plumes of smoke were still rising from ash piles filled with bottles and cans at the completely destroyed store. A Valero structure above gas pumps and a small bathroom behind it were all that looked somewhat intact. Along the road up, flames were visible on some wooden guardrail posts, along with smoke rising from spot fires still burning.
The business was a half-way stop for everyone from bicyclists, to motorcyclists, to skiers and RV enthusiasts, and had been since the booming days of the logging industry at the turn of the 20th Century.
According to Sierra Nevada Geotourism, logging teams pulled by “horse, mule or ox” would stop at the flat area around the store to rest and water teams before heading up to the 9,000-foot level where lumber was harvested.
The store was also known for its deli and home-made cooking.
Nearby Pine Ridge School at the top of the Highway 168 four-lane near Shaver Lake was still standing at noon Tuesday after the Creek Fire came dangerously close. Small flames were still visible in blackened playgrounds with melted plastic slides along the edges of mostly still-green lawns.
Structures have burned around the school, established in 1884. Across the street, what appeared to formerly be a home was just a brick chimney and burned truck. Thick smoke and small burning piles of embers surrounded the school’s perimeter. The blaze came just feet from school structures. Ash fell from the sky.
Most of the homes near Pine Ridge School appear to be destroyed. Along a mile stretch of Auberry Road toward the small community of Alder Springs, only six homes were visible as still standing, with many more leveled to ashes. Small flames were still visible on both sides of the road beneath a dark, smoky sky. In one instance, a for-sale sign was still standing beside a leveled home.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 10:16 AM with the headline "Cressman’s Store, a landmark in Fresno County mountains since 1904, destroyed by Creek Fire."