The McDermott House
This was his home originally
and one of the 4 corner properties he owned at the intersection of N. Jackson Street and West A Street
McDermott House History Timeline...
02/01/1875
DIXON BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY and RESTAURANT. New building, First street between B and C, Dixon. Koehler &
Gruenig, Prop's.
1916/05/01
May - 1916
FOUNDER"S DAY OBSERVED BY PRESBYSTERIANS.
It was the 38th anniversary of the founding of the Church. Mrs. Sweany, whose father was one of the
charter members and founders, gave a complete and most interesting history of the Church from the
time of its first sermon to the present. The history of the church dates from the founding of the
Congregational Church in 1869-70. It flourished for about seven years under the leadership of the Rev.
George Morris, who passed to his reward two years ago. After the resignation of Mr. Morris the Church
declined rapidly. In the early spring of 1878 a meeting of the congregation was held.
It was decided to organize a Presbyterian Church. On looking over the records I find among the original
members only one, Mrs. Merryfield, who was a Congretionalist, all the others being of the Presbyterian
faith. The Church was organized on April 28, 1878, by Rev.Thomas Frazer, with a membership of 23,
eighteen presenting letters from the Congregational Church, and five letters from other Presyterian
church: It was a church without a home, as the building in which it was organized belonged to the
Congregationalists. It stood on. A street, near where the McDermott residence now stands, and was
afterwards sold to the Dixon School District for the use of a Primary Department, and was moved to
where it now stands on Third Street, near the Grammar school building. Arrangements were at once
made to erect a church building.
The contract was given August 31, 1878, for $2,583, all money being raised by subscription except $500
which was borrowed of the Board of Church Education. The Rev. J.M.Dinsmore was the first pastor,
1883/01/13
The Bar Is always supplied with the best Sacramento Beer, Liquors and Cigars. At the Old Stand Main Street between B
and C. George Gruenig, Proprietor. The Bar
02/02/1892
--John McDermott is having his residence on A street raised and otherwise improved.
06/01/1893
--John McDermott has purchased the property on the corner of Jackson and A streets, known as Ferguson's Boarding
House, from Geo. Gruenig.
1893/10/01
Oct.
--The contractors are making good progress on the stone walk to the cemeteries.
--John McDermott has assumed personal charge of his boarding-house, which has been conducted for several months by
Jas. Parker. Mr. McDermott intends to conduct a first-class house and solicits a share of the public patronage.
05/01/1894
--The McDermott House is enjoying such a run of customers that Landlord McDermott is having a two-story addition built
on the rear, which will contain six rooms. J.P. Pritchard is doing the work
1897/06/01
JUNE: new advertisement; S.E. MORSE, M.D. --- PHYSICIAN and SURGEON OFFICE: In Brinckerhoff & Ehmann
Building, opposite Bank of Dixon; Residence: McDermott House.
08/01/1899
---John McDermott has given the McDermott house a fresh coat of paint this week.
1908/01/01
Jan. 1908:
BOARDING HOUSE. The Oberon, better known as the McDermott House, on the corner of A and Jackson streets, will
open next Sunday as a first-class boarding and lodging house under the able management of Mrs. C.M.Gillis.
1908/04/01
Apr. 1901:
---Mrs. Rattenbury has moved her boarding house to the McDermott House.
11/8/1910---A new business is being inaugurated by L.C. Jackson and Bert VanSant, in the form of a second-hand
store, in which all manner of furniture, bicycles, etc., will be bought and sold.. A building is being erected
on John McDermott's lot, just west of his small house, and the new firm will be ready for business as
soon as the building is ready for occupancy.
01/01/1911
John McDermott is having erected on his land west of his house, a garage which will be for the use of the public. He will
have a machinist in charge who will be able to care for all the machines left there.
1911/02/01
Feb. 1911
Ad.-- The 1911 EVERITT 30 - Four-Door, Five Passenger - $1,625 F.O.B. DIXON - Equipped with top, wind shield, fine
lamp generator Horn, Bosch Magneto. Built Throughout in One Factory by Experts. Bear in mind that this automobile is
built throughout in our own shops by experts -- it is NOT an assembled proposition.
EVERITT GARAGE McDermott & Spates, Proprietors
1913/05/01
May - 1913
Messrs. A.C. and B.T. Bristow have opened a shop in the McDermott building, formerly occupied by
Jackson's second-store, for the repairing of motorcycles and bicycles. They claim a thorough knowledge
of the business, and promise to do good work at a reasonable price.
1916- John McDermott passes away. Home goes into the estate of his 2 children.
It is remodeled into a care home in charge of the Page family for many years as well as a few businesses
Care home is closed and John McDermott's Grandson, Jack, moves into the home.
2/1/1917 Mrs. Mc Dermott and daughter returned, last week, from the City, where they had been for about six
weeks. They are advertising the big house in this place for rent and expect to make their permanent
abode in San Francisco.
The Marvin & Gaffney Garage simply had to expand. Cars came in such numbers that it as sometimes a
puzzle, and a lot of work, to get out if you were not the last one in. To meet the demand of increased
business, Louis McDermott is having another extensive addition built on the west side flush with the S.V.
E. railway station. A gasoline supply tank has also been sunk at the edge of the walk for the quick filling
of passing autos.
9/1/1928
Louis Dadami is finishing the erection of a five-room house in Sacramento for a buyer. At present they
are living in the McDermott rooms adjoining Marvin Garage.
08/01/1931
---Mrs. Josie McDermott and son were in town part of the week. While here part of the big house was
rented, Dr. Wilcox taking office rooms and Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright the remainder of the house. Mr.
Cartwright recently came from lone to take charge of the Union Oil Co. plant.
09-01-1932 ---Miss Josie McDermott and Mrs. McGuire, and sons, were in Dixon Sunday and Monday on business
pertaining to the McDermott properties.
12/1/1933 1933/12/01
Dec. - 1933
BEAUTY PARLOR IN NEW LOCATION. I have moved from my rooms on First Street and am now located in
the front rooms of the large McDermott house on A Street, where I shall be pleased to receive my
patrons. Telephone 238.--Ethel Doane.
04/01/1935
Mrs. John McDermott and Josie McDermott and son were in Dixon Tuesday on business pertaining to
their property here.
06/01/1936
Miss Lillian Miller , daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Miller, is now operating the beauty parlor in the
McDermott building. Mrs. Prewitt has returned to Woodland. Miss Miller recently completed a course in
beauty parlor work and has equipped the place with a new outfit.
Roy Daniels has opened a Chevrolet and Frigidaire agency in the McDermott building that is partly
occupied by the Marvin Garage. Elmer Lindquist and J.C.McQuary are with him as salesmen.
1998- The Dixon Police Department needs a new home....
McDermott House
02/01/1875
DIXON BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY and RESTAURANT. New building, First street between B and C, Dixon. Koehler &
Gruenig, Prop's.
1883/01/13
The Bar Is always supplied with the best Sacramento Beer, Liquors and Cigars. At the Old Stand Main Street between B
and C. George Gruenig, Proprietor. The Bar
08/01/1899
---John McDermott has given the McDermott house a fresh coat of paint this week.
02/02/1892
--John McDermott is having his residence on A street raised and otherwise improved.
06/01/1893
--John McDermott has purchased the property on the corner of Jackson and A streets, known as Ferguson's Boarding
House, from Geo. Gruenig.
1893/10/01
Oct.
--The contractors are making good progress on the stone walk to the cemeteries.
--John McDermott has assumed personal charge of his boarding-house, which has been conducted for several months by
Jas. Parker. Mr. McDermott intends to conduct a first-class house and solicits a share of the public patronage.
05/01/1894
--The McDermott House is enjoying such a run of customers that Landlord McDermott is having a two-story addition built
on the rear, which will contain six rooms. J.P. Pritchard is doing the work
1897/06/01
JUNE: new advertisement; S.E. MORSE, M.D. --- PHYSICIAN and SURGEON OFFICE: In Brinckerhoff & Ehmann
Building, opposite Bank of Dixon; Residence: McDermott House.
1908/01/01
Jan. 1908:
BOARDING HOUSE. The Oberon, better known as the McDermott House, on the corner of A and Jackson streets, will
open next Sunday as a first-class boarding and lodging house under the able management of Mrs. C.M.Gillis.
1908/04/01
Apr. 1901:
---Mrs. Rattenbury has moved her boarding house to the McDermott House.
01/01/1911
John McDermott is having erected on his land west of his house, a garage which will be for the use of the public. He will
have a machinist in charge who will be able to care for all the machines left there.
1911/02/01
Feb. 1911
We understand that the Northern Solano Bank have made arrangements to close up the gap in their lot on the west end by
a good brick building, which will probably be occupied by the harness shop of Geo. Steinmiller. This will cause considerable
shifting around of the merchants, as each is hunting for the best location.
Ad.-- The 1911 EVERITT 30 - Four-Door, Five Passenger - $1,625 F.O.B. DIXON - Equipped with top, wind shield, fine
lamp generator Horn, Bosch Magneto. Built Throughout in One Factory by Experts. Bear in mind that this automobile is
built throughout in our own shops by experts -- it is NOT an assembled proposition.
EVERITT GARAGE McDermott & Spates, Proprietors
02/01/1917
The Marvin & Gaffney Garage simply had to expand. Cars came in such numbers that it as sometimes a puzzle, and a lot
of work, to get out if you were not the last one in. To meet the demand of increased business, Louis McDermott is having
another extensive addition built on the west side flush with the S.V.E. railway station. A gasoline supply tank has also been
sunk at the edge of the walk for the quick filling of passing autos.
1918/04/01
1918 - April
Leo Marvin, proprietor of the Marvin Garage in this place, and Miss Effie Rattenbury were married in Berkeley on Monday
evening
07/01/1930
J.B. Dawson may soon be wearing chaps and throwing himself onto the back of a cow pony, for he is going ranching at
Etna Mills in Siskiyou county. He sold his corner business, and turned over the lease to the McDermott house, to Messrs
Heroux and Leroy of Oakland. With Mrs. Dawson he will leave for the north next week. Mr. Heroux was the proprietor of the
United Cigars store in Dixon,
1933/12/01
Dec. - 1933
BEAUTY PARLOR IN NEW LOCATION. I have moved from my rooms on First Street and am now located in the front
rooms of the large McDermott house on A Street, where I shall be pleased to receive my patrons. Telephone 238.--Ethel
Doane.
05/01/1941
DEATH OF MRS. McDERMOTT. Mrs. McDermott, wife of the late John McDermott and both former residents of Dixon,
died at her home in Piedmont last week and funeral services were held on Monday. The McDermotts bought the George
Gruening house, the present residence at the corner of First and Jackson and made it for many years their home. This
house was built and operated as a hotel near the site of the M. Carpenter shop on north Main Street and was moved to its
present site when Gruening sold out and went to the city. It was re-modeled by the new owners.
---Mrs. Josie McDermott and son were in town part of the week. While here part of the big house was rented, Dr. Wilcox
taking office rooms and Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright the remainder of the house. Mr. Cartwright recently came from lone to take
charge of the Union Oil Co. plant.
11/01/1931
N.W. DuYore, proprietor of the City Garage, in the McDermott building on A street, is going onto the highway on the west
side. He is having a building 60x70 erected this side of the L.D. Buck place where he purchased a small tract.
04/01/1932
---Ralph Castner recently made over the upstairs apartment rooms of the McDermott white house for the occupancy of Mr.
and Mrs. Fitzgerald.
09/01/1932
---Miss Josie McDermott and Mrs. McGuire, and sons, were in Dixon Sunday and Monday on business pertaining to the
McDermott properties.
1933/12/01
Dec. - 1933
BEAUTY PARLOR IN NEW LOCATION. I have moved from my rooms on First Street and am now located in the front
rooms of the large McDermott house on A Street, where I shall be pleased to receive my patrons. Telephone 238.--Ethel
Doane.
01/01/1934
---Bert Mack swinging a saw and hammer, putting in a new roof gutter on the McDermott building formerly occupied by
Fitzgerald - now vacant.
Compare and combine the 2 of these timelines...
The Historic House is saved and moved to Pitt School Road...
Where it is still standing today in 2025...
The Dixon Police Station currently in use was dedicated ???? get photo
Above photo of November 15, 1988 shows the house sitting on Juanita Olivas' former home site. She has an oral history...add link here...and she sold tamales in town...get ads, she worked for Bud Rossi at Recycling center site and there is a street in Vacaville named after her father. Her uncle Esquivel has street named after him as well, both are in English Hills... and he donated the land for the Pleasants Valley School.
Juanita Olivas home site on West Mayes Street
Game Club building. This was to the west of the Olivas House, built in ??? site of her tamale shed?
In this photo to the left taken in 1911, the West Valley Lumber yard is across the street north from the McDermott House and the garage on right is to the west of the house.
In this photo to the right a bit of the house can be seen far left, another house in the middle then the garage far right (both west of the house) along with cars at the time in front
