Special offer
Home > Blogs > Myrl Jeffcoat > Myrl Jeffcoat - Sacramento Realtor, Retired
bookmark_border

The Nut Tree - Between Sacramento and San Francisco

By
Real Estate Agent

I honestly can’t remember a time when The Nut Tree along highway 80 corridor, in Solano County, wasn’t a welcome stopping off place between San Francisco and Sacramento. 

My own kids remember the train rides, the restaurant, the vineyards, and the ice cream.  There are also memories of the Corn Maze in autumn.

When the Nut Tree closed in 1996, it left a hole on the hearts of many, however in today’s world, with new owners and developers, there continues a spirit of keeping some historic leanings alive. 

It was on a hot afternoon in July of 1921, that the catalyst for originally opening The Nut Tree came to be.  Helen Harbison Power and her husband “Bunny” Power had need to quickly sell their ripened fruit. 

Fast forward to The Nut Tree of today.  There are changes in appearance and much more function and growth, than the days of childhood memories.  However, the flavor of catering to children with amusement activities also continues.  In addition to the carousel, and several other carnival type rides, The Nut Tree today has incorporated shops, cafes, business and other interests.  It is far larger an operation than the Helen and “Bunny” Powers likely ever dreamed.

 

https://www.activerain.com/blogs/myrljeffcoat


https://www.activerain.com/blogs/myrljeffcoat

 

 


 

http://www.myrljeffcoat.com

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments(21)

Subscribe to Comments Comment
Submit
Show All Comments
Ellen Greer
Strawberry Realty - Strawberry, AZ
Strawberry Reatly

Hello Myrl:

My memories are very fond indeed. I think about the Powers this time of year. My Grandmother and Gradfather were best friends with Helan and Bunny.

The food was always good.

I lived up north and Mom and Dad would go to the Nut Tree at least once a month. I had friends from college who would fly up and have dinner with them.

I loved the big cookies they made. 

We always have a great time their. Sorry things have turned. It was a good place to reast between San Francisco and Davis. 

Glad you thought about it... 

Ellen

Jul 01, 2013 06:21 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Myrl, it sure is nice someone came along to give new life to the Nut Tree. 

Jul 01, 2013 06:48 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Alexandra - Dinner at the Nut Tree restaurant with a combination of beers and great company sounds like an enjoyable experience.  I too remember the food there being really good. 

Ellen - I didn't know the Powers personally.  But, I do remember the Nut Tree when it was little more than a neat little fruit stand with orchards behind.  There are some early memories of the train.  During the 1960s and 1970s, it seemed to really boom.  A really fun little place!

Dale - Although the old spirit hasn't completely been recaptured, it is nice that some of the flavor is still there, and it isn't laying dormant, like it did for several years!

Jul 01, 2013 07:19 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Myrl,

SUGGESTED for excellent writing skills! This one reads like the beginning of an excellent novel. The locals of Sacramento and people like me would really appreciate if you wrote more and got your story published. Myrl, this is a beautiful story. I felt like it was a narrative for the beginning of one the Walton episodes. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this opening act of a great human interest story.

And then there's Ellen Greer who provides testimony about the her grandparents who personally knew Helen and Bunny - WOW! What an amazing story! I can't help but wonder how many other people have more great stories to contribute to The Nut Tree Story.

While it's nice to see featured stories about Real Estate, I have an even greater appreciation for the life stories about the places where we live and know so intimately that only the storyteller who knows how to carve out of words that conjures up beautiful images. You have the ability and talent to do. It's an art & a skill and it shows the readers, such as myself, that you know more than just the business aspect of the Real Estate industry.

If I could suggest it daily until it was featured, I surely would.

SUGGEST!!!

Jul 01, 2013 08:20 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Patricia - You always have the sweetest kindest things to say!  And, they are always coupled with amazing support!  I want you to know it is appreciated!  One of the more interesting things I love about posts which are Localism in nature, is the comments from readers often enhance the story.  There are invariably those, who can tell the rest of the story!

Jul 01, 2013 11:21 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Myrl

Sounds like the Nut Tree has an interesting history.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jul 01, 2013 11:36 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Myrl, I love your historical perspective and that you have all these experiences to share. You do know this a rare quality that you bring forward that makes you such a valuable asset to those that are fortunate enough to share your experience. You are a very enlightened women with such a wonder way of presenting these encounters.
Jul 01, 2013 02:43 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Lou - The Nut Tree truly does.  For those who commute east and west between Sacramento and San Francisco, along highway 80, the Nut Tree has been a popular rest stop for generations.

William - "Enlightened". . .Now that has to be the loftiest description given to me all day:-)  I will say there are areas around the Greater Sacramento region (and elsewhere too), that I sometimes worry will slip away forgotten and overlooked, from the historical perspective.  This is especially true when robust new development buries what once was there!

Jul 01, 2013 04:04 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Mryl - great memories and lovely photos. I love that pretty carousel.  Thanks for the history too.

Jul 01, 2013 09:39 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Myrl - I remember when the Nut Tree closed, it was a regular stop on our way into the bay area. There are so many many businesses to visit today.

Jul 02, 2013 12:04 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for telling us about the Nut Tree. This looks like a good place to visit with camera in hand.

Jul 02, 2013 04:07 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Sounds like a cool place :)

Jul 02, 2013 04:09 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Myrl  As I remeber the landing field at the Nut Tree always had samll planes coming and going

Jul 02, 2013 06:54 AM
John Mayer
Oikos Realty, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Florida - Cocoa Beach, FL
Your Beach Area Expert

Hi Myrl - It looks like a wonderful place to stop and relax. I like A's comment about all the beers :-) Great pics as always.

Jul 02, 2013 04:23 PM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Myrl, I just love that signage with the drummer boy holding up the blocks!  I am so glad that someone else took over the Nut Tree as your pictures show a wonderful place to refresh and enjoy some time between the drive from Sacramento and San Francisco.

Jul 03, 2013 11:52 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Myrl , Happy Fourth to you and your family, may it be a mighty fun and safe one! 

Jul 04, 2013 03:02 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Enjoy the weekend. I always appreciate your comments on my blogs.

Jul 04, 2013 03:45 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Myrl, great shots and history of the revival of The Nut Tree. I hope it has continue success!

Jul 05, 2013 11:56 AM
Ellen Greer
Strawberry Realty - Strawberry, AZ
Strawberry Reatly

Hi everyone.. its me again...

Did you know that Helen and Buuny had 3 children! THey 2 boys and a girl.

When they got mairred each one had about 6 to 8 kids each.

I always had someone to play with at the Powers home. Helen and Bunny Build homes on the property for the children and so they all live close to the Powers. 

Did you know that Helen always had a hibiscus in her hair. And it was always real fresh one. 

And i think that one of or maybe 2 grandchilden started the restautant in Yonkvile over in Napa. I have be in Arizona so long  that I have for gotten. 

Jul 06, 2013 04:24 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Myrl,

  Great localism blog and I love that Ellen contributed twice and as Walter Cronkite said and that is the rest of the story. I think it was Cronkite! I hope you are having a great weekend!

Jul 07, 2013 07:25 AM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?