The Dobrowsky house is located at 1720 Yuba Street in Redding, kitty-corner across from the Downtown Redding Post Office.

Architecturally it is known as a Craftsman bungalow and was built probably in 1927.  Even though it is a genuine historic house, built by a pioneer family, it has been in the news quite often lately because it sits in the way of a new county courthouse and is destined for the wrecker’s ball.  Rather than save it, the county is making plans to destroy it.

Also historically important are two very large redwood trees on the property.  They were planted by Mr. and Mrs. Dobrowsky the same year the house was built.

The Dobrowsky’s are a well-known and documented Shasta County pioneer family.  Ernest, the pioneer, emigrated to the United States in 1849 from Czechoslovakia with other family members.  He arrived at Shasta in 1849 during the height of the Gold Rush. 

Ernest goldmined until 1851, then gave it up and established Dobrowsky’s at Shasta.  His store was primarily a gunsmith shop, however, he also sold ammunition, manufactured and sold jewelry, and also manufactured, sold and repaired watches.  Ernest knew how to make jewelry; he came from a family of jewelers.

In the 1880s, Ernest moved his business to Redding.  From this store he sold mostly jewelry, china, crystal, silver, along with a small inventory of sporting goods. 

When Ernest became too old to operate the store, his son Adolph took over the business.  It was Adolph who built the house at 1720 Yuba Street that is so well known today.  It was also Adolph and his wife who planted the redwood trees on the property.

When Adolph retired, his son Baird took over the store.  Baird later brought in his son Barry to help.  Barry became the last Dobrowsky to operate the store.

In 1993, after having been in business for 142 years, Barry reluctantly closed the business ending an era of four generations of Dobrowsky men, beginning with Ernest, to Adolph, to Baird and lastly to Barry.  

In 2002, Barry sold the house thus ending an era of 75 years of ownership by the Dobrowsky family. 

The house is now used as a commercial rental and still includes the beautiful original mahogany cabinetry and woodwork that was built into it in 1927.  The redwood trees still stand in the yard.  For how long the house and the trees will exist is the big question.



The Dobrowsky house

1720 Yuba Street

Redding