Twelve people, directed by Rev. J.W. Leach, began to worship the Methodist religion in an old schoolhouse 1.25 miles north of old Silveyville in March of 1858. For years it barely existed, moved to a hall over a saloon, with only Charles and Emily West remaining from the original 12.

In 1865, Rev. A. P. Hendon was appointed and in 1866 a church edifice was erected for $4300. On September 6, 1870, the growing congregation of 98 purchased this lot, known then as Fitch Street, from the Dickson’s for $1.

The Santa Cruz Weekly Sentinel reported in 1870 “The Sacramento Union of September 21st informs us that Henry C. Johnson, house-mover of that city, leaves to-day for Silveyville, with the force and material requisite to move from that place to Dixon, a distance of three miles, the Silveyville church building which is in dimensions 54x34 feet. The construction of the California Pacific Railroad, as is the case with all railroads, had had the effect to build up towns on its direct line at the expense of others located a few miles from it, and Silveyville is in a fair way to be absorbed by Dixon.” The move took several weeks and The Los Angeles Daily News reported November 27th that the church had been removed to Dixon.

Peter Timm, from Denmark, moved most of the houses from the townships of Silveyville, Maine Prairie, Binghamtom, Batavia and Tremont using gangs of horses or mules, or a few with use of a capstan. This site explains… https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/vintage-photographs-move-house-horses/

Silveyville was a ghost town by 1871, as all the businesses had moved here and the post office discontinued. Peter Timm moved the last building from Silveyville in 1876 and disposed of his moving apparatus in 1900.

Additions to the church have been made. In August of 1931, an illuminated cross shining above the church, donated by Mrs. George Darby in honor of her Grandmother, Mrs. Silvey, was dedicated in a Pioneer Home Coming Day service. The trustees also dedicated the memorial windows to Thos. and Louisa Belew, E.F. Coleman, D.S. Stuart, A.J. Brown, A.S. and Estelle D. Carman, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Kline, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Dudley, Mrs. Emily West, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Eibe, Mr. and Mrs. J. Tuck and J.M. Bell.

There are 2 more Historical Markers memorializing Silveyville and the Half-Way House on the corner of Silveyville Road and Schroeder Road.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to learn more historical information, cross the tracks and scroll down

You didn’t come this far to stop...

THE PIONEER LANDOWNERS CLOSE TO THE CHURCH

This map is from the Historical Atlas of Solano County in 1878

Ad in Dixon Tribune ...Residence adjoining DB Huff west of depot ran almost continuously from 1st issue 11/14/1874 thru at least 6/1876

1/1/1876 ---Dr. Evans has commenced the erection of a new private residence on his beautiful grounds west of the Railroad track. From Dixon Tribune

Resource Name: 379 N. Jefferson Street

B5. Architectural Style: I-House with Italianate elements
B6. Construction History: Built ca. 1870; porch treatment altered, most recently after 1979; dormer window installed, after 1979

B10. Significance: Theme: Architectural DevelopmentArea: Dixon
Period of Significance: 1860-1960Property Type: HousesApplicable Criteria: N/A
This house was probably put up around 1870. In the late 1870s the owner was G. H. Evans. The building takes an I-House form, which features a side-facing gable roof atop two side-by-side rooms (here perhaps with an intervening foyer). A rear extension is also typical. The building's wall dormers enliven the design while adding extra light and space to what is not quite a full second story. The dormer window hoods and especially the classical ornament on the bay windows provide an Italianate touch. Originally the house had a small entrance portico. The present porch, while an aesthetic improvement over its ca. 1940 predecessor, obscures somewhat the building's original appearance. The pointed-arched window gives an inappropriate Gothic Revival feel. Nevertheless, the house is a rare and important remnant from the earliest days of Dixon. It appears eligible for the National Register and the California Register.

WE NEED TO SEE IF THIS PROPERTY IS STILL ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONAL REGISTER AND IF PROP OWNER INTERESTED

This was 4 properties away from ME Church in 1878 Atlas map

379 N. Jefferson Street (originally Fitch Street)

DR. G.H. EVANS PROPERTY 1874

KERR PROPERTY 4.1.1900

Dixon Library Archive photo 2005.219

Evans property 1876 & Kerr property 1900

Looks to be Dudley Home in photo below seen far left unless they had same architect?

This is the Jonathan M Dudley and Elizabeth Dickson Dudley home which they filed a Homestead deed for in 1891. This was one block north of the church. The home was moved after they both died to the Dudley Ranch in 1911 north of town where Milk Farm was later built.

5/7/1911--Dixon Tribune--Delmar Dudley has a force of men at work moving the late residence of his mother from its location on Fitch street, where it stood so many years, to his ranch, where he will make it into a model country home. We do not know what will be done with the land, but have heard that Mrs. Higgins who owns it, is contemplating returning to Dixon and will build herself a residence thereon.

NW corner of C and Fitch Street

DANIEL HUFF & EVA DICKSON HUFF PROPERTY 1874

G. COOPER PROPERTY 1878

JONATHAN M DUDLEY & ELIZABETH DICKSON DUDLEY HOMESTEAD 1891

Jonathan M Dudley home in Dixon

1/1/1876 Dixon Tribune---We have been inspecting the plans and drawings (executed by Mr. George E. Paine, Architect), of D.B. Huff's proposed Villa, soon to be erected in the West End, and if finished according to the aforesaid plans, will outstrip any private residence in Solano county for beauty, convenience and comfort.

10/1/1943--Dixon Tribune--The E.D.Dudley farm north of Dixon has been bought by Art Brown, owner and operator of the Dixon Livestock Auction Yards. The farm consists of 212 acres. Brown intends to move the auction yards to an area south-east of the Dudley buildings, having found that he must have larger quarters and new sales arrangement. He and Mrs. Brown will make the large farm house their place of residence.

From the Historical Atlas of Solano County in 1877

SW corner of C and Jefferson (originally Fitch Street)

D.L. MANN PROPERTY

239 North Jefferson Street. Address obtained from Fire Department maps. House is abandoned and fenced-off from public entry. Address on photographs is incorrect it was my initial guess, repeat: my initial and incorrect estimated address. The correct address is: 239 North Jefferson Street. Also known as the Mann Home from the late 1800's.

enjoyed great popularity around the state in the 1870s and early 1880s. The style is defined by a vertical orientation, elaborately decorated entablatures, prominently hooded windows, and plain wall surfaces. Unfortunately, the building has fallen on hard times in recent years. It is now unoccupied and its windows are boarded. Even so, it remains one of Dixon's most important buildings. Because of its association with the settling of the community and its ability to represent an important nineteenth-century architectural style, the building appears eligible for the National Register and the California Register.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: Sketch Map
B12. References: Dixon, Cal., Sanborn fire insurance maps, 1888, 1891, 1900, 1907, 1921, 1945, 1953; Dixon Historic Resources Inventory, 1980, State Office of Historic Preservation, Sacramento; photo display, Dixon Post Office; McAlester and McAlester, Field Guide to American Houses, 1984.

From the Dixon Tribunes...

1/1/1876 LOT SOLD.--Mr. J.C. North has sold the lot adjoining the M.E. Church, to Mr. Mann, for the nice little sum of $1,000. Mr. Mann will erect a nice residence thereon.

3/1/1876 ---Mr D. Mann, one of our well-to-do farmers, having purchased the finest building site in town near the M. E. Church, has already commenced the erection of a commodious barn thereon.

04/01/1876 --Dan Mann is erecting a two story house on his lot near the M.E. Church. Architect Payne is superintending the work. The main building will be 24x36 with wings, so as to conform to the shape of a Greek cross.

1940/10/01--Earl Day has bought the C.E. Sedgwick house and lot on the west side. This old home was built in the early days of Dixon By Dan Mann, a grain grower, with a large family of daughters. The little Van bet (supposed to be Van Sant?) house next to it was then about the only structure on the entire west side when the Mann house went up. Newcomers and visitors were taken over there to be shown one of the fine homes of the young town. The Manns sold the residence to the late J.S. Garnett, father of W.H. and Neat Garnett who sold it to Charles Sedgwick several years ago. The high and rambling home with its spacious lawn was the scene of many social affairs by all the occupants that it has had.

TO NORTH OF ME CHURCH AND SOUTH OF D. MANN ON ATLAS MAP

J.C. NORTH PROPERTY

North Jefferson Street home that was next to the Methodist Church. It was supposedly moved to that location from Silveyville at the same time the Church was moved to its location in 1868. It was condemned and burned down by the Fire Department in the late 1980's or early 1990's.
Photo donated by Larry Simmons in 2004.

Photo #2005.2.32 from Dixon Library Archives as well as the write up.

North property was to the north (right) of the church and the Jenkins to the left rear

MRS E JENKINS PROPERTY

TO WEST OF METHODIST CHURCH IN 1876. HER PROPERTY WOULD HAVE BEEN WEST B STREET

Delinquent tax list property owners on 2/14/1876 printed in Dixon Tribune