History Blog: The Oldest Market in Decoto

Sitting at the corner of 10th and I streets is the , about the only true market left in Decoto. Though the market caters to the Latino community, the building has been a market since long before the Latino community settled in Decoto.

The market building was first owned by T. S. Fereira, who used it as a saloon starting in 1897. In 1898, T. S. Fereira sold the saloon to Harry Fortune, who continued to run it as a saloon. In 1901, Harry Fortune then sold the building to George Young, who turned it into a market. In 1903, John Ludwig Olson and John Ralph purchased the market, with John Ralph having experience working in the Alvarado store of I. V. Ralph, his uncle.

In 1903, John Olson was appointed Postmaster for Decoto and the post office was moved to his store. The post office was located in a new addition to the building.

In a couple of years, John Ralph had the opportunity to purchase his uncle's Alvarado store and went in business on his own, leaving John Olson to run the market in Decoto.

About 1908, the first telephone system was installed in Decoto and the phone exchange was installed in Olson's store.

At 2 a.m. on July 24, 1914, some unknown men blew the safe in Olson's store and made off with $400. The safe crackers used nitroglycerin to blow the safe, muzzling the explosion with a blanket. The door of the safe blew through the store counter. The men quickly grabbed the money and ran off in a waiting automobile.

In 1917, the store and post office was broken into but only 90 cents in pennies was stolen. In 1922, the store was robbed again. This time the thieves took watches and razors. The thieves broke in by forcing a door with the sounds of their entry muffled by the heavy rain falling. Later that same year, another set of thieves broke into the store and tried to break into the safe but failed, leaving the safe door damaged and tools scattered on the floor. The thieves left with only a few pairs of shoes and some cutlery.

In 1925, local residents requested that telephone service be expanded to 24 hours. At the time, there was no night or Sunday afternoon service. Since an operator was required to transact all phone calls, this request required hiring someone to be at the phone exchange all night long.

Again in 1926, robbers broke into the market, but quickly fled when they were scared off by a train going by the market.

In 1941, John Olson passed away at the age of 66. His wife, Harriet Olson continued the business as J. L. Olson and Company. In 1949, the market was sold to Bernie Joseph. In 1953 the market was still being referred to as "Olson's Grocery." In the 1960s, the market was known as Union City Market.

For over a hundred years the market has been in this building, providing for the needs of many generations of Decoto residents.