Historic Old Town Folsom, California (Part 2), Folsom, California

Turn to your right and take a look across the street. The three-story brick parking garage with the clock tower is another one of Bernau’s projects, also completed in 2007 it is part of the multi-phase railroad block redevelopment, called Historic Folsom Station.

Both structures are similar in style to the Folsom Electric Power and Lighting Building we saw on Sutter at the beginning of this tour. These commercial projects were architecturally designed to fit in historically with this quaint gold rush era town, and serve as modern bookends to Folsom’s Historic District.

A short distance further and you will come to the Chan House. It sits behind a chain link fence and will be in some state of restoration when you pass by.

Howard and Mabel Chan, moved into this home in the 1920s. Howard was the son of Oak Chan, who emigrated from China as a teenager during the Gold Rush and became a leader in Folsom’s vibrant Chinese community. 

In 2017 this home was donated to the Folsom Historical Society. Their goal, to restore the home and open it as a Chinese Heritage Museum. It has a way to go, but if you have any interest in this effort contact the Folsom Historical Society. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).