835 Charter Oak Avenue

Olive groves can still be found in Napa Valley, reflecting a period when there were several olive oil manufactories in the county in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition to the California Olive Oil Manufacturing Company, once operated by David Martinelli on the west side of Railroad Avenue, there were also many similar factories or olive press houses set up like this one in a backyard barn, built by John Allison in the 19th century. The Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company is a small Italian grocery, hidden away on a quiet neighborhood street. Allison Avenue, once known as Bridge Street, linked the neighborhood with Pope Street and the bridges over Sulphur Creek and the Napa River. The grocery has been owned and operated by the same family since G. Guidi began the business in the 1930’s. It was owned by the Lucchesi and Particelli families in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The grocery sells a wide variety of specialty foods and olive oils. Within the 1½ story gable roof barn, the olive press, active since the turn of the century, is still visible, although it is not in use now. The frame structure has board and batten siding with shiplap siding in the gable end. Double doors are in the gable end also. Windows have plain molding. The upper windows in the gable end are a later addition, as is the side lean-to.