Fresno Republican Printery

Fresno Republican Printery (1919)
2130 Kern Street, Fresno

When you are talking about Fresno, there is an obligation to at least once mention  William Sarayon. It is my understanding that he delivered papers for the Republican. At one time, the Republican was a mover and shaker in this town—to the point where its editorials helped to ferment the Free Speech demostrations and massacre—on the side of business.

The Fresno Republican Printery building was designed to accommodate the job printing division of the Fresno Morning Republican newspaper. Published from 1876 until 1932, the Republican was a major force in the social, cultural, and publishing history of early California. Chester Rowell was involved with this paper. Control of the printery later was assumed by William Glass, and then in 1925 by Leon Camy. Eventually, this paper was sold to the Bee. Changing technology eventually rendered the printery obsolete, and it was closed in the 1970s. 

Two years ago,  the building housed the Kern Coffee House and the Downtown Club. Both establishments have been disolved-even though the Downtown Club may have new life as an open eating establishment, rather than a private club.