Historic Property #7: 2934 Bedford Avenue; Ollis-Plumado-Gladwill House
Year Built: 1859-1860
Architect: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Architectural Style: “Pioneer” with Gothic Revival elements
The Ollis-Plumado House, located in Placerville, California, has a storied past dating back to the Gold Rush era. The earliest known owner of the property was pioneer merchant, undertaker, and sexton (cemetery manager), Abraham Vedder, who sold it to Henry Ollis in 1862. Ollis, a local businessman, had previously employed John "Wheelbarrow Johnny" Studebaker, who would later become a renowned wagon and automobile manufacturer. In 1874, the home changed hands again when it was purchased by Francis Plumado for $600 in gold. A Canadian native, Plumado had arrived in Placerville in 1852, where he worked in various trades, including mining, ditch-agency, shoemaking, and orchard cultivation. The house remained in the Plumado family for 75 years.
Ollis-Plumado-Gladwill House; Circa 1950
The architecture of the Ollis-Plumado House is a fine example of 19th-century Pioneer-style craftsmanship. Built with locally handmade brick and thick lava rock walls, the house features a wood-shingled front gabeled roof, a plain boxed cornice, an arch-shaped central window, and gable-end windows adorned with decorative trim. A prominent open verandah wraps around three sides of the structure, supported by turned wood columns and spindle bannisters. Interestingly, the foundation incorporates old tombstones with engraving errors, likely made available to Vedder when he served as a sexton, adding to the home’s unique historical character. Situated on a hillside that was once extensively mined, the lower level of the house was built partially underground, reflecting the ingenuity of its early builders.
Francis Plumado and his wife, Jane Eliza Oldfield Plumado, played a significant role in shaping the property. They raised their four daughters here, and Jane, an avid gardener, planted the magnolia trees that still grace the yard today. According to anecdotal reports from Plumado family descendants, the Plumados converted their old chicken coop into a residence for the family seamstress, Ms. Josephine. Following Jane Plumado’s passing in 1927, the family continued to reside in the home for another 22 years.
The home’s history is intertwined with notable figures and events that shaped Placerville. In 1885, the house hosted the wedding of Frances Plumado and William F. Fairchild, who later established a well-known pharmacy on Main Street. They also made their home across the Street from Mrs. Fairchild’s parents, the Plumados. Family legend suggests that gold discovered during the excavation of the Fairchild’s Main Street building’s foundation helped finance the construction. The Fairchilds' store became a local hub, selling collectible postcards depicting El Dorado County landmarks and featuring an extensive collection of Native American Maidu and Miwok baskets, which were preserved by Mrs. Plumado Fairchild, who also became a fierce advocate for preserving California historic landmarks statewide.
The house later passed through the hands of five different families before being acquired by the family of celebrated local artist, Anne Gladwill. While living in the home, Gladwill painted her popular series known as “The Seasons”, which featured Placerville and its surrounding communities in each of the four seasons, celebrating the beauty of El Dorado County in spring, summer, winter, and fall. While raising three children, she became an active member of the Placerville Art Association and exhibited her pastel and watercolor paintings. Her work depicting small-town life garnered widespread admiration, and one of her pieces became the cover of the Sacramento Bee’s Home Magazine, leading to a 14-year career as a graphic illustrator for the newspaper. She also shared her artistic talents by teaching at Edwin Markham School, where she notably instructed future painter Thomas Kinkade.
Today, the historic Ollis-Plumado House continues to stand as a testament to Placerville’s rich past. Preserved as part of The Seasons Bed and Breakfast–a nod to the work of Anne Gladwill–the house provides guests with a glimpse into the Gold Rush era while offering modern comforts. Both the old family wood shed and former chicken coop turned Ms. Josephine’s cottage provide vintage charm for the inn’s guests. The Plumado Houses’ enduring architecture, deep-rooted family histories, and connection to Placerville’s artistic and entrepreneurial legacy ensure its place as a cherished landmark in the community.
