SALOON DAY BOOK, PHOTOS AND EPHEMERA PERTAINING TO THE NOTABLE ITALIAN AMERICAN SALOON OWNER GIOVANI “JOHN” ROCCA OF JAMESTOWN, CA., BEGINNING IN 1894 THRU 1896

SALOON DAY BOOK, PHOTOS AND EPHEMERA PERTAINING TO THE NOTABLE ITALIAN AMERICAN SALOON OWNER GIOVANI “JOHN” ROCCA OF JAMESTOWN, CA., BEGINNING IN 1894 THRU 1896

Giovani “John” Rocca was an Italian immigrant who arrived in Jamestown at age nine. He initially worked a mining claim on Woods Creek with his father Lazaro and later opened a local mercantile store. After acquiring the Algerine property, he built a home there before 1875 whose ground floor was used as a saloon, stage stop and grocery. As he accrued more acreage, his family expanded into other local industries as they cultivated fruits, vegetables, a vineyard and grain fields also raising livestock.

Total pages are 256 with pages 1-11 being an alphabetical index of saloon patrons. Pages. 14-101 are purchases of Rocca’s clients (August 1893 – July 1896) with purchase emphasis on brandy, whiskey, Port Wine, wine, bards (beer), ale, black berry brandy, sigars and occasionally yerba buena. Pages 158 -254 are some of Rocco’s expenses for the partial years of 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896.

The two silver print photos are 6 ½ x 8 inches. The accompanying ephemera includes IN THE SUPREME COURT OF STATE OF CALIFORNIA. JOHN ROCCA, PLAINTIFF AND APPELLANT VS. FREDERICK KLEIN, JR. DEFENDANT AND RESPONDENT. APPELANT’S BRIEF. FRANK W. STREET, ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT. SONORA. 1887. Rocca is sueing to “recover from defendant the sum of $387.25, balance due on an open, current and mutual account.”

The ledger is 5 ½ x 12 inches with wear consistent with age. Overall in vg cond and very readable.

Source: Historical Marker Data Base; My Mother Lode – Your Gateway to California’s Gold Country.