If you were to stop by the store in Elbe on August 12, 1896, here are prices tags you’d be looking at. Of course, the names of some of these items make you wonder what you’d be buying.
Market Report from the Elbe Union Paper
Creamery – 17 cents
Calf – 17 cents
Eggs –
Strickly fancy – 14 cents, Oregon’s ranch – 10 cents, Cheese 9 cents
Chickens live per doz. $3.50, dressed 12.5 cents
Images provided courtesy of Pat Van Eaton and information taken from History of Tacoma Eastern Area.
Click on images to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 
8 responses to “Shopping at Elbe in 1896”
Does anyone know what became of Adam Sachs’ home? It seems like a very significant structure and very modern given the time it was built. I pass through Elbe regularly and believe I have a good idea of where it likely stood. I wonder if the remains of the foundation are still there?
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I know there is a house there now, but it doesn’t look like this one. Now you’ve got me curious. Next time I’m in Elbe maybe I’ll drive up and knock on the door and see if the current residents know anything.
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I found a souvenir that was from the Sachs Store among my families stuff. Would love to post a picture to share.
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Yes, please. Send it along and I’ll put it up. You can email a photo at Diane@spilledinkstudio.com
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After thoroughly studying the available photos my hunch places it in a now wooded area. If you drive into Elbe from the north and turn left onto 542nd street (just before the IOOF building) and follow it straight back, I believe it was on the hilltop pretty much directly ahead of you. There is a private residence on the hill. The driveway to it goes up and makes a large loop as if to avoid something. If there is a remaining foundation there I’ll bet its next to this driveway. Lots of no trespassing signs though. Google Earth is a valuable tool for such investigations.
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I hadn’t thought of Google Earth. Good call.
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[…] town. You can see the Elbe shot tucked between the grocery and the hardware store, as well as the Adam Sachs’ home up on the hilltop […]
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[…] Adam Sachs into coming out to the area. He came out, married Miss Marshall and become the owner of Elbe Cash store. (info per History of Southeastern Pierce […]
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