Live Oak

A. M. McGrew is credited as building the first residence in what is now Live Oak after purchasing his claim in 1868. The California and Oregon Railroad, later the Southern Pacific Railroad, first began operating trains to Live Oak in late December of 1869. In 1874, the first store opened, followed by the post office, a blacksmith shop, a saloon, and additional residential houses. The town had grown to include a warehouse, a hotel and boarding house, a butcher shop, two carpenters, a school, and about twenty-five houses by 1879, with a population of approximately 125 people.

Historic Points of Interest

  • At 3230 Clark Road, set well back from the road with a private driveway on the south side of Clark Road, is the Clark House, an old farmhouse. It is a rather large, square structure with symmetry and balance, illustrated by the large, elongated front door with equal windows on either side. A very unique feature is the elaborate wrought iron widow’s walk.
  • The A. M. McGrew House at 9778 Larkin Road was one of the first homes in Live Oak. McGrew, a farmer, reportedly built it for his bride, but he left town when the marriage did not work out. This old residence was moved a short distance from its original site to its present location between 99 and Larkin Road due to the construction of Highway 99. It houses the Buttes Insurance Company.
  • Sutter Hock Farm Historical Monument on Live Oak Highway (between Eager and Pease Roads) marks the first non-Native settlement in Sutter County. Established in 1841, the farm was partially destroyed by debris from flood waters caused by hydraulic mining.
  • Along Live Oak Highway is the site of the Old Berg Ranch of 2,000 acres. The Berg brothers were Herman and Frederick.

Resources

To learn more about the history of the town of Live Oak, check out these articles: